Joyce Ann Nicholas

Joyce A. Nicholas, resident of Carmel, California, died at home on July 22, 2015 of complications stemming from a stroke and Alzheimer's disease. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, John C. Nicholas, who passed away on October 18, 2014. Joyce spent her early years shuttling between relatives in Brooklyn, New York and Oakland, California, with one long-treasured visit to a family farm in upper Michigan. During her teen years, she lived in San Francisco with her mother. Curious and adventurous in spirit, a lifetime characteristic, led her to leave the west for New York City, where she worked as a fashion model for designer, Bill Blass. A voracious reader, Joyce had no need for writing classes to build a career as a writer and editor. She wrote fashion reviews for the New York Herald Tribune and articles for House & Garden and Vogue. She was the author of three books: “The New York I Love,” "The San Francisco I Love,” and “Adultery for Adults" (co-authored with Marilyn Mercer). Her writings were published under the name "Joyce Peterson," the name of a divorced husband. Joyce was a seasoned traveler, having spent much of the late 1940’s in Europe. She and John Nicholas married in 1972 and over the years the couple was to travel throughout the world, forging several lasting friendships. Passionate about food and cooking, they operated a combination restaurant and art gallery in West Cornwall, Connecticut. Next they moved back to San Francisco where they opened an antique store. Then, in the eighties, wanting to be closer to John's four children, they moved back to New York and opened another antique store in Southampton. Retiring in Carmel and Palm Desert, California, Joyce was active in local politics. She was an avid supporter of animal rights and believed in supporting local artists. Joyce is survived by four step-children, and five step-grandchildren, and a cousin, Gus Almquist. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the name of Joyce Nicholas to the SPCA of Monterey County, California.