Nowicki, Ann (Arendas), 94, of South Wellfleet, passed away after a brief illness on November 9, 2020. Ann was the daughter of Peter and Anna (Sedlar) Arendas and as a child, she lived in an immigrant household with extended family in Passaic, NJ. Ann attended Passaic High School and enjoyed being a part of the cheerleading squad. After graduating, she helped the war effort by packing parachutes for World War II supplies. Once the war ended, Ann met and married, William “Bill” Nowicki, with whom she shared 58 years together before Bill’s passing in 2006. Together Ann and Bill raised their children in Bloomingdale, NJ on a three acre farm that included chickens, fruits and vegetables. Ann was a steadfast Catholic, attending Mass at St. Anthony’s Church in Butler, NJ and serving as president of the Rosary Altar Society. Ann was a homemaker most of her life, until she was given the opportunity at 50 years old to go back to school and earn her LPN degree from Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains, NJ. The whole family loved the Cape having vacationed every summer for more than 20 years. Shortly after graduating, Ann’s father passed away, which lead to Ann and Bill moving their family to South Wellfleet in 1979.
Before Bill’s passing, Ann loved cruising in the Caribbean; her favorite destination was Aruba. She worked as a private duty nurse and then as the housekeeper/cook for the priests at both St. Joan of Arc and Our Lady of Lourdes. She finally retired about 10 years ago. She remained a faithful servant of God by attending Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Wellfleet, volunteering her time arranging flowers for Sunday Masses and especially enjoyed working at the Holly Fair every year. She was awarded the Marion Medal from the bishop of the Diocese of Fall River for her dedication and service to the church. Through her years of involvement with the Red Hat Society, the COA of Wellfleet Thursday lunch group and her church life, Ann made many friends and cherished each relationship. She navigated this world with determination, preparedness, proper planning and poise. She was a friend of “Lady Luck,” enjoying many trips to the casinos near and far. Ann was an avid reader of romance novels and anything that had a happy ending. She also enjoyed the beach and sunbathing. Ann is best known for her extreme generosity at Christmas, never leaving anyone she knew go without a gift…or three.
Ann will be truly missed by all who knew her especially her devoted children: William Nowicki of GA, David Nowicki of CO, Ann “Kip” (Bruce) Detlef of South Wellfleet, and Judith (Kenneth) Kishtok of NY, as well as her cherished grandchildren: Rebecca (Barry) Carrigan, Emily (Christian) Arnold, Alex Nowicki, Thomas Nowicki, Kara Nowicki, Christopher (Courtney) Detlef, her adorable great-grandchildren: Declan Carrigan, Madison Ann Arnold and Thomas Wayne Detlef. Ann was preceded in death by her husband William and sons Roy Nowicki and James Nowicki.
Calling hours will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home, 340 Main St., Wellfleet on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 from 2-5 PM. Social Distancing will be in place and face masks are required. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 2282 Rt. 6, Wellfleet on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 at 10 AM followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ann’s name to the Wellfleet Council on Aging, 715 Old Kings Highway, Wellfleet, MA 02667 or to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, P.O. Box 1414, Wellfleet MA, 02667 For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.
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