Paticia Henley Nicholson

Until her earthly end, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, Patricia Henley Nicholson, 89, remained a lover of good books, music, the arts, gardens, antiques, conversation, history and yes, feeding wild birds. She was born in the hospital at Richmond and grew up in San Leandro and several other San Francisco Bay Area towns. She later lived with family on a fruit ranch near San Jose. She attended San Jose schools, elementary through San Jose State College. She met her future husband, Loren Nicholson, in the seventh grade. They married when he returned from military service in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and England. She worked part time in the Stanford Graduate School of Business Library while Loren completed his master''s degree. She pursued her long list of interests while living in Redding, Calif., as secretary of the local symphony, building a home and pursuing interests in art. They moved to San Luis Obispo in 1956 when Loren took a position in the journalism department at Cal Poly. Pat continued her interests in volunteer service for many years through activities of the Cal Poly Women''s Club, San Luis Obispo County Historical Society and the Art Center. Her sister, Elizabeth of Hood River, Ore., is the last of her family''s generation. At her request, Pat chose to be cremated and have her ashes scattered in local waters. She did not want a funeral or service, but friends are planning a small gathering during October in recognition of her good service.