Katherine Ann Nickel

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Katherine Ann Nickel, who peacefully left us on March 9, 2025, at the age of 80. Born on March 4, 1945, in Champaign, Illinois, Kathy grew up in Escondido, California, then married and spent most of her life in Lancaster, California, where she was a devoted wife and mother, deeply committed to her family and those she cherished.

Kathy is survived by her son, William Dean Nickel and his wife, Reena (Zapata) Nickel, as well as her daughter, Nancy Elaine (Nickel) Matherly. She is also survived by her father, Milton Dean Barr of Champaign, Illinois, and her aunt, Delores (Coffin) Arnett of Parker, Arizona, along with dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her devoted and beloved husband of 39 years, William Paul Nickel, her mother, Eunice Elaine Barr, her brother, Dennis Michael Barr, and her sister, Elaine Dean (Barr) Fitzgerald.

Kathy’s life was filled with generosity, creativity, warmth, and a zest for living. She had a passion for the arts and enjoyed drawing, painting, crafting, and gardening—always sharing her creative talents with friends and family. She loved to celebrate holidays by cooking, decorating, and dressing up for all occasions.

Kathy and her husband Bill were longtime members of Lancaster Presbyterian Church. Kathy loved to sing her praises and was actively involved in the church’s musical groups. Kathy and Bill had many dear friends there, and their children attended Sunday school, growing up with a strong foundation of faith.

In the 1970s, Kathy was actively involved in the PTA, always working to support her children’s education and school activities. She was also a dedicated member of the weight loss support group TOPS, where she made lifelong friendships, including a dear bond with Mrs. Barbara Simon and her family.

In the 1980s, Bill and Kathy took many vacations in their RV, traveling to visit relatives in Colorado and Oregon. Along the way, they made it a mission to ride every vintage train they could find, turning their road trips into cherished adventures filled with history and discovery.

A lifelong reader, Kathy especially loved the works of Louis L’Amour, finding adventure in his stories. She also had an adventurous spirit of her own—traveling across the country alone several times in her Toyota Avalon, "Pearl," always coming home with wonderful stories of her journeys and the places she saw.

In recent years, Kathy discovered a love for sumo wrestling and eagerly tuned in to watch Japanese matches, fascinated by the tradition of the sport. She loved sci-fi movies and vintage TV shows like Perry Mason—or as she fondly called it, borrowing from The Flintstones, "Perry Masonary."

Kathy collected frogs, loved cowboys and horses, and adored her beloved cat, Buster. She had a special love for sparkly jewelry and crystals, hanging them in her windows to catch the sunlight and fill her home with rainbows. In her later years, she lived with her daughter Nancy, where they shared countless special moments, from visiting relatives out of state, thrift shopping, and making her favorite soups at home on a rainy day.

She was blessed with the devoted care of Ann Hayes and Maria Salas, who became like family and provided unwavering support. Kathy also deeply valued the friendships she made at East Palmdale Dialysis, where both the staff and fellow patients became an extension of her family.

Kathy’s kindness and generosity will be forever cherished, and her legacy of love and laughter will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Kathy’s life will be honored with a graveside service on April 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Joshua Memorial Park, where family and friends will gather to celebrate her memory.