Betty G. Nickell

Betty G. Nickell, longtime resident of Boulder City, Nevada, passed away at 7:10pm on Friday, December 27, 2013 at St. Rose Siena Hospital from complications arising from a gallbladder infection. Born at home in June 1926, in Pasadena, CA, she moved to Boulder City at the age of 9. Her father, Earl Gilmore, was one of the original operators at Hoover Dam. Betty graduated from Boulder City High School in 1944. This is also where she met the love of her life, William R. Nickell, with whom she eloped on New Year’s Eve 1946 and married New Year’s Day 1947. Betty was a homemaker and also had several jobs. She worked with the postal service for a year, and then worked as a switchboard operator with the phone company in Boulder City. She also worked for the Boulder City Medical Clinic, Boulder City Hospital, Nevada Bank, and the U.S. Bureau of Minds. Betty and Bill had three children, Greg, Cathy, and Gary. As a family, they enjoyed many trips to Laguna Beach and the cabin Bill built in Duck Creek, Utah. Betty and Bill especially cherished 6 trips together to Hawaii. When Betty and Bill retired, they joined Thousand Trails and traveled the country in their RV. The two moved to the senior community MacDonald Ranch in Henderson, NV, in 2007. Betty always said it was close to everything—restaurants, movies, doctors, and casinos! Betty is survived by her husband Bill of 67 years, their daughter Cathy (Joe) Couce of Henderson, son Gary Nickell of Boulder City, brother Len (Susan) Gilmore, three granddaughters, Becca Couce, Natalie (Stephane) Bombet, and Brittany Nickell, and two great-grandsons, Jetsun and Lennon Bombet. Betty was predeceased by her parents, Leah and Earl M. Gilmore, her older brother Earl P. Gilmore, and son Greg Nickell. Services will be held at Palm Mortuary; they will be private (family only). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca.org). If you would like to share personal memories or wishes, send them to Betty’s daughter, Cathy, at [email protected].