Aina Mary Margaret Nichols

Aina Mary Woodring was born on November 5, 1946, in Collbran, Colorado. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, and will be deeply missed by her family and friends and cousins. Her children survive: John (Leslie) and Mike (Jennifer); her siblings, Barbara (John), Marty (Sandee), and Craig (Jennifer); and her grandchildren, Caitlyn (Jackson), MaryClaire, John III, Violet, and Finlei, loving nieces and nephews, and loyal dog, Copper. She was preceded in death by her parents Martin and Bonnie Jean Woodring, John’s parents Ben and Marguerite Nichols, and her husband, John.

During her youth, she was an outdoor girl who loved fishing, ranching, and spending time in nature. She enjoyed fishing at Bull Creek and Bonham Reservoir, where she would cut willows with her siblings and cousins Richlyn and Bill Barnard to catch fish. Driving a tractor at the age of four, much to her mother’s dismay, the outdoors and fields were her favorite. She rode horses, worked sheep, milked cows, and cherished time with her cousins, who were more like siblings. Additionally, she traveled with her family to the north and south, and cherished time visiting her grandmother Dedmon, where she would have slumber parties, play, and spend the night with siblings and her cousins. Summers spent with her Texas cousins Bob and Dick Nygren, along with local cousins Doug Clark, and the movies from Uncle Walt added to the fun and mayhem of childhood, creating lasting memories that she fondly reminisced about.

Mary attended elementary school in Mesa and was taught by her favorite teacher and future mother-in-law Marguerite Nichols. She went to Plateau Valley School for middle and high school. She was an active class member participating in sports and representing her class as president. She graduated from Plateau Valley High School in 1964 and subsequently attended the University of Hawaii for two years before transferring to Colorado State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Anthropology. This education paved the way for her career as a juvenile probation officer. She married the love of her life and childhood friend, John Kniley Nichols in 1968. They lived for a short time in Greeley before moving back home to Mesa, where they built their home and raised their boys on the ranch. Over the years, she participated in community events and was a member of the former hospital board. Mary worked at the transfer station from its inception as Waste Management, through BFI, and then to Herzog. Her role extended far beyond her title, as she formed many friendships with the local community over the years. For many, a visit to the transfer station was not just about recycling or disposal; it was an opportunity for storytelling, laughter, and a fun game of Shanghai. She retired in 2017.

Mary was passionate about family and found immense joy in attending athletic events for John and Mike, and later for her grandchildren. Weekly Sunday dinners, card games, dominoes, holiday gatherings with extended family, a friendly debate about politics, and traveling on excursions out West and to Canada, the Dakotas, Washington, and the South, were the highlights of her journeys. At home, she was a skilled gardener, seamstress, and birder, and was known for her ability to assess a situation and fix it. Her garden, flowers, and chickens kept her busy, and she supplied local churches and community members with her prized vegetables and eggs, as well as her loved ones.

Mary was known for her wisdom, strength, patience, kindness, and open-door policy; inviting family and friends from across the states and many countries to experience quality time in the mountains and share in fellowship and memories. As a two-time survivor of cancer, Mary became a symbol of strength and perseverance for everyone who knew her. Her journey through adversity was not just a testament to her resilience but also an inspiration to those around her. Faced with challenges that would have discouraged many, Mary approached each hurdle with unwavering determination and a humorous, indomitable spirit.

Through her dedication to thoughtful celebrations of her children's and grandchildren’s interests, Mary created a legacy of devotion that will continue to inspire them for years to come, instilling in them a passion for family traditions, simplicity, and the joy of their heritage.

A service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held on January 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Molina Baptist Church. The service will be live-streamed on the Molina Baptist Church Facebook Page. A meal will follow at the Mesa Community Center Barn in Mesa, CO. All are welcome. In honor of her favorite color and passions, the family invites you to wear purple, floral, and birds. A private graveside service will take place at a later date. The family requests donations be made to the Plateau Valley Cancer Fund.