Betty Nichols
Jan. 6, 1931 – Feb 10, 2014
Betty Nichols passed away peacefully on Feb. 10, 2014 in Santa Rosa at the age of 83. She is survived by her son, Doug Stickney (Dayra); daughters, Barbara Schweitzer (Ed) and Kelly Berry; and granddaughters, Katie Schweitzer (Nate Murray), Heidi Walker (Scott) and Jessica Blanchard. She is also survived by her great-grandson, Cameron Murray. She was predeceased by her husband, Duard “Gene” Nichols; daughter, Judy Nichols; and her beloved dog, Rascal.
A longtime resident of Pacifica, Betty was born in Michigan, the youngest of four children of Walter and Elizabet Boomker, immigrants from Holland. She began her career in Lansing in 1950 as the secretary to the Michigan Department of Instruction. She went on to work in the office of the governor in 1960. After relocating to California, she began working for the city of Pacifica in 1968 as a secretary to the director of public works when the city was just over 10 years old. In 1972 she was appointed deputy city clerk and secretary to the city manager.
During her career she worked for seven successive city managers and retired in 1996 after 28 years of service.
Betty was an avid reader, a 49ers fan and a devoted follower of the San Francisco Giants.
She will be remembered by her family and friends for her kindness and compassion to all people and animals and will be greatly missed. Private family services were held at Skylawn Memorial Park. Donations in Betty’s name may be made to the Peninsula Humane Society, 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010, or to the Pacifica Resource Center, 1809 Palmetto Ave, Pacifica, CA 94044.
Editor’s Note: The family paid for a multiple-week run of this obituary.
