Wendi Kay Nicholson-Hayden

SPARTA, Wendi Kay Nicholson – Hayden, 53, of Sparta passed away on October 19th, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Pompton Plains, N.J., Wendi spent most of her life in Sparta, NJ. She attended Sparta Schools and graduated from The Katherine Gibbs School in Montclair in 1976. Wendi served as a Vice President for the Eastern Propane Corporation of Oak Ridge, NJ for most of her career. Starting as a Receptionist in 1981, Wendi advanced to Credit Manager, Office Manager, District Manager and then Director of Customer and Administrative Services. Wendi directed a “Take Off Pounds Sensibly” (T.O.P.S.) group for many years and also initiated and lead a Scleroderma Support Group for Northern New Jersey for many years. She received numerous awards and recognitions during her business career from the New Jersey Propane Gas Association, the National Propane Gas Association, the New Jersey Employers Association and several regional builders’ organizations. Wendi was also an active promoter and fund raiser for research seeking the origin and a cure for Scleroderma. The “Wendi Learning Garden” in Sparta was dedicated in her honor in September in recognition of her passion for gardening and fresh vegetables. Wendi will always be remembered for her personal strength and the love of her family and pets, her tireless dedication to the family business and the inspiration she provided to so many people over the years to live and love.

She is the loving daughter of Robert B. and Shirley Kitchell-Nicholson of Sparta. Wendi is survived by her loving and devoted husband Francis Hayden, her wonderful daughters, Dawn Marie Lengen and husband Rob and Amy Lynn (Hayden) Marshall and husband Steve, two granddaughters, Julia Kay Lengen and Brooke Anne Lengen, and a grandson, Hayden William Marshall as well as her much beloved pet pugs Bailey and Betsie. She is also survived by her sister, Debra Nicholson-Marcellus and her husband, Phil of Sparta, her sister, Linda Nicholson-McRoy and her husband Scott of Kinnelon and her brother Robert B. Nicholson III of Sparta, and many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

The family will receive their friends on Monday, October 25th from 1 to 4 and from 6 to 9 at the First Presbyterian Church at 32 Main Street, Sparta. A private visitation by the employees of Eastern Propane will be held at the church on Tuesday, October 26th between 10:30AM and 11:30AM. A funeral service will be performed at the church at 12 Noon on Tuesday, October 26th with a gathering of friends and family after the funeral service.

A private internment will be held at the Oak Ridge Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, Wendi’s request is for memorial donations be sent to Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center 5200 Eastern Ave., Ste 4100 Mason F. Lord Bldg., Center Tower Baltimore MD 21224, or the secure on-line giving link at: https://jhweb.dev.jhu.edu/eforms/form/sclerod

for Scleroderma Research, in memory of Wendi Nicholson-Hayden.

Online condolences may be offered at www.goblefuneral.com