Ethel M Nuckols

If anyone ever cared, really cared for someone else it would have to be Ethel M Nuckols. She was a warm hearted and well liked individual, and these wonderful traits came easily to her because she was such a sociable and amiable person, someone who was always making certain that those around her had whatever they needed. Ethel was a talkative person who was tactful at all times but typically said what she meant.

She was the daughter of Karol and Margita Mayerchak. Ethel was raised in Coleman, Alberta Canada and San Rafael, California. During her childhood she learned to be reliable and respectful. Ethel was an obedient child who wanted to win the favor of others. She found it easy to show sympathy and to perform kind acts for others. These admirable qualities would become a part of Ethel's personality throughout her life.

Though Ethel was frequently the one to initiate games and activities with her family, she was also quite often the family member who took the role of referee. Ethel was a peace-maker with an ability to resolve all sorts of family conflicts. In fact, Ethel worked conscientiously to keep those typical family spats at bay. Ethel was raised with three siblings. She had two older sisters Sabina and Julia and one younger brother Julius. Tragically Julia passed away March 5th, 1942 when she was 11 years old. Ethel and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another.

For Ethel, the school routines were never a problem although she generally preferred variety to structure. She seemed to be able to start a project and work right through to its completion. And she was able to do it quickly and efficiently. Ethel was also adept at details. Ethel was very observant and was generally quick at picking up new things. She graduated from San Rafael High School in 1956. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was choir. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was her choir teacher Byron Jones. In addition to enjoying choir, Ethel enjoyed partaking in school variety shows, cruising up and down 4th street in San Rafael, California, hanging out at King Cotton Drive in, and dancing at The Litchfield Dance Studio.

There was one thing that all of Ethel's friends knew and will still remember, and that is that she was a talker. She could pretty much talk to anybody about anything. This quality is one of the primary reasons that Ethel was such a popular person throughout her life. But Ethel was also dependable, loyal and trustworthy. Ethel was the kind of person who simply radiated good fellowship. While she maintained personal standards and her own personal values, Ethel was very accepting of others. With a distinct skill for working things out, Ethel was often the person who would organize events. In fact, Ethel was fairly comfortable playing the role of “host” for just about any occasion. When Ethel made friends, she made true and lasting friendships. While growing up, some of her best friends were Louisa Minyard, Mary Ann (Chanel) Varner, Joyce (Delamontoya) Thomas, Marilu Simontaki, Jolene Zion, Wanda Cooper and Ken Gabriel. Later in life, she became friends with Pauline Tong, Donna McShea, Candida Berweger while still remaining close to Louisa Minyard, Joyce (Delamontoya) Thomas and Ken Gabriel.

Ethel was a faithful and loving person. Some would even call her sentimental and a romantic at heart. Her kindness and consideration radiated an aura of warmth to those around her. Ethel cared for what others thought and carried that into her marriage. On April 30th, 1961 Ethel married Jim Nuckols at St. Raphael Church of San Rafael, California. Compassionate and devoted, Ethel worked hard to make her new life partner happy.

Harmony was important to Ethel and she made every effort to maintain it with her family. Ethel was blessed with two children, Michael and Walter. Through them she was also blessed with three grandchildren, Bailey, Brock and Ryan. Ethel was always conscious of the feelings others had. She was reasonable and understanding. As a result, Ethel was quick to solve disputes and did so without much fuss. Her secret of success in this area was simple: Ethel would listen before she would act.

Taking her work seriously came naturally to Ethel, and she expected the same from those around her. Ethel was a good team player, someone who was born to cooperate with others. She was what some would call a “people person” and it was demonstrated in her good communication skills. Ethel was a steady worker, one who was realistic about schedules. The kind of details that would give family members and work colleagues fits were situations that Ethel handled well. She could understand the details without getting lost in the broad “big picture.” Ethel had many occupations. The ones she enjoyed the most were as a Banking Secretarial and a Co-Owner of an A&W restaurant. She was employed for several banks, San Marin High School as a secretary, and owned an A&W restaurant. She brought harmony to her work environment, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done, while always maintaining respect for her colleagues.

Her favorite pursuits were spending time with her family and friends.

Ethel was one of those people who took pride in constantly putting forth her best effort. Nowhere was that more visible than in sports. Ethel was always enthusiastic and a great team player. Ethel also liked being a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite teams whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were watching her children and grandchildren play football and baseball and cheering on the Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.

Ethel wouldn’t shy away from taking the lead on committees or events, either. She was a born list maker and was great at creating and sticking to schedules. When the boys were young she was an active member of the Novato Little League Auxiliary were she held the title of President.

Her high moral standards and traditional values served Ethel well with her faith. Religion and faith were important to her. Ethel was an active Catholic throughout her life and was a member of the Catholic Churches in Novato and Sonoma, California, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada. Due to her illness, Ethel couldn’t attend church as frequently as she would have liked. She would watch the Sunday morning Mass on TV and if missed would record it and watch it later that day.

Not only did Ethel enjoy traveling, but she also seemed to enjoy planning all of those trips and vacations. She was a facilitator who could easily make up a near perfect schedule of all of the things to do and see. She rarely tired of going back and revisiting her favorite places. Favorite vacations included San Diego, Canada and Czechoslovakia. Ethel and Jim went on several cruises including some to the Caribbean and Alaska.

Ethel was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was Missy, a Shih Tzu, who was a best friend for 16 years. She also loved Walter's boxer, Ali.

Since it was easy for Ethel to meet and get to know new people, she quickly made friends, even in retirement. Once she met those new friends, she loved sharing stories and talking about the good old days. Since she was practical and cost effective, Ethel was ready when that day to retire finally came in 2000. Her new life involved relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada where she bought her dream home and was closer to her older sister Sabina. In retirement, she found new pleasure in working part time at Kohls, hanging out with friends and traveling with her husband Jim. Even in retirement, Ethel stayed in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances.

Ethel passed away on June 13, 2019 at home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethel fought a brave battle against cancer. She is survived by her two sons Michael and Walter, and her three grandchildren Bailey, Brock and Ryan Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary. Ethel was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Cemetery.

Ethel was a fantastic conversationalist who could engage just about anyone in a discussion. And whenever she said something, she meant it. Ethel was a down to earth person, outgoing and gregarious. She was without question the type of person who enjoyed experiencing things first hand. She was practical and sensible, but what friends and family will remember her for most would be her; laugh, smile, toughness, spirit and she was so understanding and kind. Everyone whose life she touched will miss Ethel M Nuckols.