Anne Marshall Nichols

Anne was married to Alex Nichols for 44 years. They had three children, Lexie (Brendan), Robert (died in 2017) and David (Stefanie), and two grandchildren (Bennett and Hudson). Anne and Alex lived in Ottawa for five years before moving to Cary, North Carolina in 1983. They also lived in Tokyo, Japan, and Flower Mound, Texas, before returning to Cary in 2020 for Alex's retirement.

Anne was predeceased by parents Carmon and Marjorie Marshall and survived by sister Helen and brother Sandy (Germaine). As a banker’s family, they moved frequently and lived in several towns across Nova Scotia. She attended Hants East Rural High School and then went on to study History and receive Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Acadia University. Anne was introduced to Alex at Acadia by a mutual friend when they were invited to join a folk worship group in the Acadia Chapel.

Anne started her teaching career in Moncton, New Brunswick where she worked until she and Alex were married and moved to Ontario. She put teaching on hold while living in Ottawa and started a family. She resumed working as a substitute teacher at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh when her children were old enough to be starting high school. She worked many years as the administrative assistant to the Athletics Director at Cardinal Gibbons and some, including her boss, were known to say “she ran the athletics department!” She always loved high school students and she was well respected by all who participated in athletic programs. Anne retired from Cardinal Gibbons in 2008 and she and Alex moved to Flower Mound a couple of years later.

Anne was a loving mother, an accomplished baker, an avid conversationalist, and a consummate online shopper. She loved books, genealogy, puppies, babies, British mystery shows, Star Trek, peanut brittle, a good bargain, Carolina Hurricanes hockey, and NASCAR. She had a fast friendship of over 40 years with 3 other transplanted Canadian families cemented in regular card games (online during the pandemic), holiday meals, and time spent together. Her time in the Dallas area brought a special group of friends in the form of the Compass Sunday School Class at Wilshire Baptist Church. Her lengthy stories, delicious pies, loyal friendship, and truly excellent hugs will be missed by many.

Anne’s favorite place in the world was the cottage at Cape John in Nova Scotia. She loved to spend her summers looking out over the water, spotting eagles and enjoying the peace and quiet. She had many friends local to the cottage as well as friends from university and family who lived all around the province. Each return to Nova Scotia was a celebration and each departure was a sad day.

The last several years presented new challenges with the death of Robert and her diagnosis of kidney disease which necessitated a kidney transplant. Alex was able to provide the kidney she needed in 2018. The COVID pandemic brought constant worry since she was immune-suppressed as part of the kidney transplant protocol. In spite of vaccinations and special precautions, Anne still contracted COVID and was never able to recover from the harm done to her lungs.

Her ashes will be interred in the Sunset Community Cemetery in Argyle, Guysborough County, in Nova Scotia alongside Robert’s ashes, which were placed there in 2017. It will be her final return to Nova Scotia and it is where she always belonged.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to the Pathways to Ministry fund at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, St. Jude’s Hospital for Children, or to the charity of your choice. Thank you.