Christine Marie Muro Nickson

Christine Marie Muro Nickson of Sarasota and previously Port St. Lucie, Florida passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at her residence on Tuesday, October 7. Nicknamed Chrissie throughout childhood in New Haven, Connecticut and young adulthood in New York City, and later known as Chris, she was a most-cherished daughter, sister, mother, aunt, mother-in-law, neighbor and friend. Born on April 2, 1956, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Gaetano and Paula (Balog) Muro, she entered this world with a rebellious, fun-loving heart and healthy dose of skepticism from the start.
She is survived by two children George (Samantha) and Alexis (Matthew), their father Stix, two sisters (Nancy Muro and Patricia (Patty) Falk), three nieces (Elizabeth, Kathy and Kristy), four nephews (Alex, Christopher, Nicholas and Robert), and two beloved pets (Daisy and Teddy).
An avid reader and life-long learner, Chris was an engaged and invested student in her own education and graduated with an Associate's Degree in Advertising and Communications from the SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City in 1976 and later continued her studies in interior design at the Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Florida. Her studies launched her to the forefront of the late '70s / early '80s musical scene early in her career, working with Jerry Weintraub's music production team in New York City managing marketing and tour logistics for notable talents such as Billy Squire and Eric Clapton.
This work helped to create her lifelong love of many genres of music, from classical right on through to jazz, pop and heavy rock. She could always be found searching for what the kids are listening to these days.
A move with her former husband from Long Island, New York to Southeast Florida in the early '90s ushered in the era of her self-professed greatest achievement, building a loving and warm home to raise her family. This new home also allowed her to further utilize and build upon her education to support a new career in the growing healthcare sector in Florida, working in several healthcare administration roles and companies over the years. Beyond her career, Chris invested time into her community and brought her children along to volunteer and fundraise for organizations such as the American Red Cross, Special Olympics, and local literacy advocacy programs.
Although a New England native, Chris embraced the Florida lifestyle quickly and became a dedicated enthusiast and promoter of conservation efforts of the native Florida ecosystem and wildlife – a passion and education she passed onto her children and friends through beach visits, boat outings and meandering, slow afternoon walks. A prolific dabbler of hobbies and interests, Chris was always working away at one or more creative or delicious projects at a time and excelled as an amateur painter, collage artist, tailor, Halloween costume designer, puzzler, gardener, chef, and baker of Italian and Greek favorites, to name only a few.
When she found herself in a dearth of creativity, Chris would occupy herself with her first true love, reading. Chris was a keeper of words, constantly compiling new ones from her reading that stuck out or made an impression. The library was a place of objectivity and belonging for her and she was particularly proud of her role in recent years as a member of the Gulf Gate Library Board of Directors as well as a volunteer in its bookshop. Aimless walks amongst stacks of books and the infinite possibilities they brought with them was a constant comfort throughout all her years – this is where she felt most at peace.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 2:00PM at First Congregational United Church of Christ (1031 S. Euclid Avenue, Sarasota).
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Chris's honor to a local Sarasota arts or cultural organization that creates meaningful impact for you and your loved ones.