Marie Nicolay

Marie Nicolay May 9, 1931-January 8, 2025
Marie (Hartkamp) Nicolay, 93, was born on May 9, 1931, to parents Gerrit and Johanna Hartkamp in Wijhe, Overijssel, The Netherlands. She was 8th in the line of 10 surviving children. She had many experiences shaping who she was, not limited to living through World War II in German-occupied Holland. She spent 13 years living with a family in Wijhe, working in their appliance store and as the family nanny where she was seen as a second mom. Marie had an adventurous spirit, and after spending a few months in California on vacation in 1963 visiting two of her brothers, she decided to emigrate to the USA to start a new life and join them. Marie arrived in Ripon in February of 1967 and immediately began work at the Ripon Bakery for her brother. There she met numerous Dutch immigrants who welcomed her. Three years later, thanks to a mutual friend, she was introduced to another Dutch immigrant, Leo Nicolay. After four months of dating, the two married and she joined him on the farm between Ripon and Manteca where she worked with him, side-by-side, in the almond orchards she loved. Ten-and-a-half months after their wedding, the newlyweds welcomed their only child at ages 40 and almost 48 - something they never expected but for which they were extremely thankful.
Marie was known for her kindness and humor, her cooking talent and hospitality, and her exceptional baking skills. No one could exactly replicate her recipes or get them quite like hers. There was a reason for that - she would leave out vital information. So here it is: she never used vanilla extract - she used vanilla sugar. The secret is out now! She always drank cold coffee - before drinking cold coffee was "cool." She loved being outdoors, sitting in the sun, reading Dutch books, playing cards, going to Tahoe and Reno to play the slot machines, and bowling. She and Leo bowled in numerous senior leagues at Yosemite Lanes and developed beautiful friendships resulting in a couple of cruises to Mexico and Alaska with their bowling buddies. Marie also loved her morning walks through Ripon with Leo, picking up loose change along the way, and many people in town knew them as "the tall lady and the guy with the cigar." They did everything together, and throughout the years they made numerous trips to the old country and road trips around the U.S. and Canada.
Marie is survived by her daughter Ann Pendleton and her husband, Richard, her granddaughters whom she adored, Abigail and Allison Pendleton, her sister Riekie Hartkamp of the Netherlands, and dozens of nieces and nephews who all loved and admired their Tante Marie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, her parents, and her siblings: Albert, John, and Gait Hartkamp, Johanna Overkempe, Kit Vermeulen, Anna Kappert, Jenneke Ten Broeke, and Willemien Bonsing.
The family wants to express gratitude to the staff at Bethany Home for Maries excellent care for nearly the last three years of her life. Her earthly journey ended at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto on January 8, 2025, after a very eventful 9 days where she experienced a leg amputation and lung issues. Throughout everything she endured, she had no pain, never complained, and endeared the hospital staff who took excellent care of her in her last days. The family also extends a special thanks to Janell Zuidervaart and Trisha Hickman who made sure her hair and toes were in tip-top shape while she was still living at home.
In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to the Bethany Home Society. There will be no visitation. A VERY brief graveside service will be held at the Ripon Cemetery on Wednesday, January 15, at 9:30 a.m. Dont be late, because you might miss it.
Services
Cemetery
Ripon Cemetery
N. Stockton Rd.
Ripon, CA 95336 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Marie, please visit our Tree Store.