Muriel Nikki Brink Beare

1928 - 2014

Muriel Nikki Brink Beare

Nikki Beare of Havana, FL, 86, died Monday, November 10 in Tallahassee. She was born March 7, 1928 in Detroit to Stanley Brink and Dorothy Welch Brink. She graduated from Cass Technical High in1946. June 15, 1946, she married Richard A. Beare of Havana, and they moved to Traverse City, Michigan.

Nikki Beare became an activist when she found limited library services. She got BookMobile services started and again when they moved to Miami. After moving to Islamorada, FL, Nikki began writing for the local paper. She discovered a love of journalism and continued reporting at the South Dade Free Press, the Miami News and Tallahassee Democrat as Gadsden County writer. She wrote three books: Pirates, Pineapples & People, Bottle Bonanza and Plants Poisonous to People. Nikki attended the third U.N. World Conference on Women in Nairobi in 1985, and attended the fourth U.N. World Conference on Women with daughter Sandi in Beijing in 1995.

Nikki got her Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College in 1980. She was one of the first female lobbyists in Florida in the 1960s and continued her activism until recently. Nikki fought for the ERA, and represented clients such as the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Bicycle Association, and Kodak.

Nikki served on the Refuge House board of directors for many years. She co-founded the Havana Learning Center, was a founding member of NOW, National and Florida Women's Political Caucus and Veteran Feminists of America. Member of the Gadsden County Domestic & Sexual Violence Task Force.

Nikki Beare is survived by husband Richard A. Beare, daughter Sandi Beare Schenker and son-in-law Rick Schenker, and grandchildren Jennifer Raulins Anderson, Robert Raulins, Andy, James, Beth, Sara and Ricky Schenker, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Nikki's life will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at 2:00 p.m., at 1st Presbyterian Church, 213 First Street NE, Havana. Condolences: Richard Beare/Rick and Sandi Beare Schenker, 303 First Street NW, Havana, FL 32333. A memorial fund has been set up to fund a scholarship in Nikki's name. Checks may be made to Sandi Beare Schenker with notation of Nikki Beare Scholarship Fund, to 303 First Street NW, Havana, FL 32333.