Kathryn Friday Nicol

Kathryn F. Nicol of Jacksonville, FL died peacefully on February 24, 2024 at the age of 93. She was born Kathryn Vaughan Friday in Salisbury, NC on August 24, 1930, the daughter of Homer Benjamin Friday and Marguerite Harris Friday. Kathryn is survived by her daughter, Susan Nicol Dobbins (Craig) and her granddaughter, Margaret Vaughan Dobbins, all of Sewickley PA, as well as a sister-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roderick MacLatchie Nicol, and her brother, Homer Benjamin Friday, Jr.

Kathryn graduated from “The WC” – The Woman’s College of North Carolina (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro) in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught elementary school for several years in Charlotte, NC before relocating to Wilmington, NC and ultimately moving to Jacksonville, FL in 1960 with her husband and daughter. Throughout her life, one of Kathryn’s greatest joys was teaching and she believed in the power of education. For a number of years, she taught a class at Florida Community College at Jacksonville (now Florida State College) for those who were experiencing grief and loss.

In Jacksonville, Kathryn volunteered for years with the United Fund/Way and was a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital, its incarnation as Mayo Clinic and finally St. Vincent’s Hospital, Southside for over 35 years. She was an active member of PEO (a national organization dedicated to promoting education for women) and held many leadership positions, including Chapter President. A member of First Presbyterian Church since 1960, Kathryn was active in the life of that church serving in countless roles including Sunday School teacher, visitation team member, Circle Chairwoman, President of the Women of the Church, and Elder. She was the recipient of an Honorary Life Membership from the Presbyterian Women (PCUSA).

In her later years, Kathryn enjoyed reading, listening to classical music, playing bridge, and studying the Bible. She lived for a number of years at The Carriage Club (now Brookdale Southside) where she made cherished friends and spent her final years in memory care at The Greenhouse at Bartram Lakes. The family is grateful for the compassionate care that she received at The Greenhouse and for the care and comfort she and her family received from Community Hospice.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the chapel at Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, followed by a private interment at Oaklawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice (4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257) or to PEO Chapter H (1739 Poplar Drive, Orange Park, FL 32073).