Elaine Maria Gilroy Nichols

Elaine Maria (nee Gilroy) Nichols, beloved wife of Charles Nichols, passed peacefully in her sleep August 18, 2015. An eight-year survivor of cervical cancer, Elaine fought a valiant year-long battle against breast cancer while remaining positive and showing constant concern for others.

Elaine had a full and influential life. She was a mother, wife, daughter and sister. As a teacher in Virginia, California and New Hampshire she inspired future generations of elementary through high school students. An indication of the high regard her students had for her was when the high school English class she was teaching at the time crashed her wedding reception so they could say goodbye to “Miss Gilroy.”

As an Army brat and Army wife Elaine thoroughly enjoyed the two assignments she and Chuck had in England. Their first tour was shortly after son Jason was born where they had to live in a bed and breakfast in Christchurch, England for three months while awaiting quarters. The second assignment eleven years later followed the routine of the first with a three month stay in a hotel in London, again awaiting quarters. The house they lived in was on the banks of the Thames River in a suburb of London less than a mile from Hampton Court Park. It was paradise on earth to Elaine and she always commented everything was so familiar, as though she lived there before.

Elaine was devoted to her family and nursed her 93 year old mother through an injury after she fell and broke six ribs. Elaine spent her last days in the Fairfax Retirement Community, one floor above where her 96 year-old mother resided giving her mother the opportunity to be with Elaine during her final moments. It was Elaine’s wish to be close to her mother at the end.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Chuck, son Jason and his wife Theresa, granddaughters Zoe and Ruby, mother Irene Gilroy and brother Michael Gilroy and extended family, Suwanna Chevitanondr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 23, 2015 at 2:45 pm at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel and Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery. There will be a reception at the Spate Club, 214 McNair Road, Bldg. 407, Fort Myer, VA 22211, following the interment.

Contributions in lieu of flowers should be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. DEMAINE FUNERAL HOME, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314 is handling the arrangements.