Diana Elizabeth Howard Nicholson

DIANA ELIZABETH HOWARD NICHOLSON March 8, 1917 – Oct. 17, 2010 NEWPORT - Diana Elizabeth Howard Nicholson died peacefully in her sleep on Oct. 17, 2010 in Bel-Aire Nursing Center in Newport. Diana was born in Burlington on March 8, 1917, the second child of Lenna (Humphrey) and Charles Howard. She graduated from nursing school at Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington in June 1938 as a registered nurse, but her nursing career was shortlived. Diana fell in love with a University of Vermont student, Elmer "Nick" Nicholson, married in January 1939, and began a 61 year trip "around the world" before her husband's death in 1999. While raising four children, Diana and Nick moved frequently in pursuit of his insurance career. They lived in Montpelier, Niagara Falls, Newington, Conn., Philadelphia and Chicago before retiring to Pinehurst, N.C. for 20 years. For more than 40 years, Nick and Diana made a summer pilgrimage to their cottage in Newport on Lake Memphremagog, enjoying the friendships of neighbors on Strawberry Acres Road. Following her husband's death, Diana lived yearround in her beloved cottage with the assistance of caretakers, until her failing physical health required residency at Bel-Aire Nursing Center. Wherever the family lived, Diana established a warm and welcoming home and was always a wonderful cook and gracious hostess. A talented seamstress, Diana made her daughters' wedding gowns and her own beautifully tailored clothes. She was a loving grandmother, attending many of her grandchildren's milestone events and sending them care packages across the country. In addition to her husband, Diana was predeceased by her sister, Hope Jordan Stewart; and her brother, Charles Howard. She is survived by her children, Carol (Jerry Fryberger) of Duluth, Minn. and their children, Jeremy Fryberger (Mary Tess O'Sullivan), Lynn (Mark MacLean), Holly (Alex Sienkiewicz), and Sarah (Zachary Madison), Linda Goodman of Oakdale, Conn., and her sons, Jay (Connie Tetschner), James (Jennifer O'Brien), and William (Hilary Robbins), David Nicholson (Deirdre) of Burlington and their son, Zachary, and Nancy Cekalla of Little Falls, Minn. and her sons, Garrett (Tina), Wyatt and Morgan. Diana leaves behind 14 great-grand- children; and is also survived by two nephews, Paul Jordan and John Howard. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 at the CurtisBritch-Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel at 37 Lake Road in Newport, interment will follow at the Pine Hill Cemetery in Derby. The family requests that those who wish to remember Diana, make a contribution to the Frontier Animal Society, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, VT 05855. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch- converse-rushford.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-BritchConverse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated.