Patsy Ann Nichols

Patsy Ann Nichols, 88, of Corry, PA, passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Harmony Hall in Columbia, MD, with family. She was the matriarch of the Kysor family and the last of a remarkable generation.

She was born on the morning of November 19, 1937, behind a woodstove in Centerville, PA, the youngest child of the late Olis James and Hattie (Holbert) Kysor.

Patsy always spoke fondly of her parents and her childhood. She was the youngest of five brothers-James, Thomas, Darrell, Malcolm, and John-and one sister, Faye (Lorenz). Born near the end of the Great Depression and growing up with four brothers serving in World War II, she was exposed to much early in life. Her wonderful parents and early homestead upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic, practical life skills, a sense of service, and a voice for self-advocacy-characteristics she carried with her throughout her life.

On November 30, 1954, she married Gilbert Kenneth Nichols at a magistrate's house in Riceville Corners. She formed a true partnership with Ken, who went on to serve Corry as Chief of Police, Council Member, and Mayor. Together, their lives reflected nearly 70 years of combined service to the citizens of Corry and surrounding communities. They deeply loved Corry and invested themselves fully in building a future through a strong community.

By 1958, Patsy had welcomed three of her five children-Hattie Bernice Nichols of Erie, PA; William Henry (Diane) Nichols (deceased) of Newark, OH; and Rita Faye (Cheyenne) Decatur of Goldsboro, NC-and began working at Corry Hospital, where she got her specific rules about handling and storing linens. During this time, she formed a close friendship with a colleague, naming a daughter in her honor. Patsy later worked the night shift on the assembly line at Erie County Plastics, where she had her two youngest children-Janis Paige Tiburzio (deceased) of Corry, PA, and John Robert (Jennifer) Nichols of Columbia, MD. She built many lifelong friendships during her time at ECP and remained closely connected with her coworkers through reunions, lunches, and gatherings, often as host.

With her older children grown and leaving home by 1976, Patsy turned her attention to public service. Motivated in part by many dinner table discussions at home about local judicial matters, she sought election as an Erie County Judicial Magistrate. She served in that role for nearly 30 years, winning five elections. Patsy was fair-minded and gave a voice to many, always striving to do what was right. She used her position to advocate for women's rights, to serve as a respected mediator in community matters, and to support organizations such as Zonta International in Corry, where she served as president for many years.

Only a few months after her retirement, Ken passed away in Florida in 2006. Within a few months, Patsy lost her lifelong partner and concluded a long and successful career. It was a profound transition, but she continued forward with strength-supported by family and friends, grounded in the Corry community, and guided by the routines and resilience she had built throughout her life.

Patsy remained active for nearly 20 more years, sharing many of those years with her longtime companion, Bob Black, wintering in Palatka, Florida, and spending summers on Turner Hill. She made new friends wherever she went. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, an avid reader, and enjoyed journaling, traveling, and connecting with others-especially through Facebook.

Despite the loss of many loved ones, including two of her children, and even as her health declined-with significant hearing and vision loss and limited mobility-Patsy never gave up. She met life as she always had: with determination and grit. In the end, she simply fell asleep in her chair, tired from a full and well-lived life. You take the good with the bad and move forward as best you can.

Patsy is also survived by 13 grandchildren-Melanie Paternoster, Joseph Decatur, Anthony Paternoster, Patsy Ridgell, Brittany Freas, Bobbie Decatur, Betsy Decatur, Derek Nichols, Nicholas Tiburzio, Jake Wilder, Gilbert (Kenny) Nichols, Juliana Nichols, and Jessica Nichols-several great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, April 24th at Bracken Funeral Home, Inc., 315 N. Center St., Corry, PA 16407, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, April 25th at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 W. Washington St., Corry, PA 16407, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery, Corry, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Corry Area Historical Society, 945 Mead Avenue, Corry, PA 16407. Please include Patsy's name with the donation; the family will match contributions, up to a total of $1,000.

To sign the guest book or send condolences, please visit www.brackenfh.com