Nickolyn McMillan

Nickolyn (Nikki) McMillan, 88



Nickolyn (Nikki) McMillan passed peacefully from this earthly life surrounded by loved ones on October 22, 2025.

She was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in April 1937 to Sicilian immigrants Joseph and Anne. The family moved to Colorado in the early 1940s, where they established a life of love and giving.

After high school, Nickolyn worked summers near Loveland Pass, where she met her future husband, Howard McMillan. They married in June 1957 and, following Howard's Forest Service career, moved from Idaho Springs to Elk City, Idaho, and finally to Whitefish, Montana, in the early 1960s.

Nickolyn's legacy is one of strength, faith rooted in her Catholic upbringing, and unwavering devotion to family.

Raised in a close-knit family, Nickolyn cherished memories of her childhood in Idaho Springs Colorado-sleeping under starry skies through a leaky cabin roof, playing with homemade toys. Evenings spent around a coal stove listening to her mother reading the classics and Sundays tuned to radio football games. These creative sparks were important to shaping her work as a restaurateur, teacher's aide at Whitefish schools, and an artisan with prolific skills in painting, drawing, needlework, and cooking.

Like her parents before her, she welcomed children and friends into her home, nurturing them as her own. At the core of her life was the time she and Howard spent with close friends. Exploring, fishing and hunting in Montana.

She is survived by her son Bryan and daughter-in-law Torrie; grandchildren Breanna, Carly, and Hunter; and son-in-law Kevin. She adored her numerous nieces and nephews and invited many of these city folk to the Flathead where they too learned to fish, hunt and explore.

She was preceded in death by her husband Howard, sons Corey and Kennan and granddaughter Carly.

Nickolyn's legacy of love and resilience will live on in the hearts of those she touched.

A memorial Mass will be held at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Evergreen on November 15 at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support feeding the hungry in the Flathead.