Elizabeth Mary Nickens

Beth was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Donald Nickens, the love of her life and her parents Phillip and Violet Masters. She is survived by her four children, Helen Cauthen (Conrad), Greg Nickens (Janet), Robert “Bob” Nickens (Cris), Kelly Shuck (Lance), and “adopted” daughter Angie Rosser; grandchildren, Caryn Van Eynde (Andy), Beth Lucas (Jameson), Jessica Lucas-Chobo (Regis), Logan Shuck, Jaime Cauthen (Tess), Kristen Shuck, Ashlee Morrison (Tyler), Lindsey Lucas (Ronnie); great grandchildren, CJ Foster, Dylan Foster, Kaylyn Foster, Lilly Yace, Cayden Van Eynde, Coltyn Van Eynde, Aubrie Corwin, Avery Chobo, Natasha Corwin, Piper Corwin, Xander Yace, Annabelle Yace, Isabella Blankenship, Carter Blankenship, Aspyn Morrison; her sister, Diana Estep and brother-in-law, Mike Hyman (Charlene); numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Beth was born in Dover, England, which was only 22 miles across the English Channel from France and the Germans were doing their best to invade England. She would tell stories of what life was like when she was a very young girl, during WWII (9/1/1939 to 9/2/1945). Germany was planning “Operation Sea Lion” (9/7/1940 to 5/11/1941) to take over the English Channel, which fortunately never happened. Her family lived on the coast, and she remembered having to go to a very small bomb shelter, almost every night, where she gathered with her parents, sister, and another family, for several months at a time. Her family lived on food rations. Her mother would save their ration coupons for sugar and sweets throughout the year, so that they could have sweets for Christmas. One time when walking with her aunt, she saw someone hiding up in a tree – it was a German spy – they reported it, and he was captured. Diana remembers that mom would watch the skies and say, “here comes another one”, referring to a Doodlebug. In June 1944, the Germans started sending V1 Flying bombs to bomb London. They were called V1s "Doodlebugs". A doodlebug was really a bomb with wings. It looked like a small airplane and had no pilot - a bit like a cruise missile, but slightly bigger.

When she was older, she lived in the country and would have to ride her bike several miles, leave it at someone’s house, and catch the bus to school. Later she would do the same routine to get to work. Beth was always very shy, so it was fate that she met our father, who saw her from across the room at a dance and thought she was Rosemary Clooney (George’s aunt) . Dad made a beeline to mom, stealing her from her date (who didn’t have a chance) …. They went on to share one of the best love stories ever told! Beth was raised as a proper English lady and was one of the sweetest ladies you could ever meet. She didn’t have a mean bone in her body.

Beth immigrated to the US in 1957, where she had to ride a train to the air base and catch a military cargo plane (space available) to fly (18 hours) to Nova Scotia, where she met dad with Helen, who screamed the entire way! Dad soon took mom to meet his family in Leeper, MO – you must picture a prim and proper English Lady, wearing matching shoes, purse, dress and pea-coat going into a very rural small town. The family and the locals acted as if they were meeting the Queen of England. She made quite an impression. Mom lived her life with dignity and grace, that we all aspire to emulate.

Beth devoted her life to being a military wife and mother, moving wherever dad was stationed, whether it was freezing cold (Maine) or sweltering hot (Georgia), with a smile on her face. Life was not always easy, raising 4 children, with only one income, but mom was a genius at stretching a meal, making clothes for all of us, and providing a warm and loving home. She taught us to be resourceful, respectful, caring and loving. She didn’t drive until after Kelly was born. That was never her favorite thing to do, as she would drive 20 miles out of her way, just to avoid the freeways! Her parents immigrated from England in 1966 and moved to the house next door to us in Fort Worth, Texas. However, when dad got orders to go back to Maine – after hearing the harrowing stories of their first tour of Maine, they decided to move to Arizona, where their other daughter, Diana lived. Mom proudly became a naturalized American citizen in the mid 90’s. Christmas was always a very special time in our family and mom would work tirelessly to make each one a treasured memory – after living in Arizona, she and dad would host a High Tea Christmas party, with up to 100 people on Christmas night. Mom did all the work and Dad was in charge of the entertainment. She was a remarkable woman, who loved her husband and family.

When dad retired from the Air Force in 1974, the family moved to Arizona, where all her children and grandchildren still reside. Our family has been a source of wonder, because of how close-knit we are and will continue to be. The family’s legacy is to continue to honor our parents by carrying on their example and traditions and raising future generations to have the same unbreakable bond.