Kathleen Elizabeth Brown Nichelini passed away on June 6th, 2012 surrounded by her family in her Chiles Valley home after a valiant battle with cancer. Kathy was born January 11th, 1940 to Richard and Alma Shank in Cheyenne Wyoming. She moved to California in 1955 and lived in San Mateo where she attended Mercy High School and made many lifelong friends.
She moved to the Napa Valley in the 60’s seeking ‘everything rural’ for her family. She settled in Pope Valley in 1969 where she devoted her time to her four children and younger sister, through 4-H she raised them to be hard working adults. She also planted, cultivated and picked red wine grapes on her ranch in Pope Valley.
Kathy was active in 4-H when her kids were young. She served as a project leader, community leader and participated in many county wide programs as well. She loved watching her children sell livestock at the Napa Fair. She was active in the Pope Valley community where she served countless hours on the Mothers’ Club organizing events for the children. She worked as a school bus driver for the St. Helena school district. To her dying day she ran into people who traveled on the yellow bus with her. In the 80’s she worked as a receptionist and a tour guide at Inglenook Winery.
Kathy accomplished her dream of being a vintner with her husband Jim. Together they cultivated grapevines, picked grapes with the family, barreled wine with the help of Cindy and Tom Johnston, bottled and produced the JimmyNich label.
Kathy leaves behind her husband, Jim Nichelini, daughter Cindy Johnston (Tom), sons Scott Brown (Debora), David Brown (Carmen), Christopher Brown (Amy), sister Christine Jarvey (Jeff), 8 grandchildren- Chelsie Johnston, Scott Brown, Brittany Johnston, Fallon Johnston, Colby Brown, Courtney Brown, Lauren Brown and Cole Brown, 2 nieces- Alec Jarvey and Resa Jarvey, the Nichelini Family and countless friends.
A service will be held at the St. Helena Cathloic Church on Saturday June 16th at 2pm. A celebration of her life will follow at the Nichelini Picnic Ground. Please share your fond memories of Kathleen at MorrisonFuneralChapel.com.
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