Bertha L. "Birdie" Nichols

Bertha (Birdie) L. Nichols (nee Pole)

Bertha (Birdie) L. Nichols (nee Pole), 88, met her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at 8:25 a.m. November 19, 2008.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Birdie, was the beloved wife for 54 years of the late Jay; precious mother of Jay K. (Gail), Lantana of Florida and Daun (Lou) Matteo of Stow; cherished grandmother of Kimberly (Alan) Andrews, Kristine Aguilar, Louis Jay and Stephanie Matteo; loving great-grandmother of Sarah and Eric Andrews and Paul Aguilar; dear sister-in-law of Lois (Joseph) Nagy of Westlake, Ohio; dear aunt of Jim and Lynne Nagy, Darlene Snyder and Bonnie, Sharon Moats, Darry and Scott Nichols, Maxine Roberts, and Claudia Jones. She was preceded in death by parents, Anna and Frank Pole; parents-in-law, Laura and Willis Nichols; sister, Evelyn; brother Frankie (10/12/08); sister-in-law, Micky Miller; brother-in-law, Bill Nichols; and many other family members.

Birdie was an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Orange. She loved her church family and Pastor Don. She was always busy and filled with ideas. Birdie will be fondly remembered for her many talents and activities that occupied her life. She was a photographer, dress designer, did leather tooling, was in plays, choirs, musicals, and minstrel shows, played the organ and piano, wrote music and poetry, raced sport cars and MGs, re-upholstered furniture, sewed drapes, did cake decorating and flower arranging, was an amazing cook and baker (delicious trifle and oatmeal tollhouse cookies), cut and set precious stones, fashioned jewelry, was a master wood carver, traveled extensively and was on PM Magazine and Del's Folks with her husband, Jay, cut her own lawn and snow blew her long driveway until she was 87, and never met a stranger. She gave all the glory to God for her life and talents. A special thank you to Lois for her listening ear; Verna, her prayer partner; the nurses at Hillcrest ICU; and Harry and Sister Helen for their gift of time.

Visitation Sunday, Nov 23, 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Tabone- Komoroski Funeral Home. Funeral service Monday, Nov. 24 at 12 noon, with Pastor Don Morris officiating. In lieu of flowers, gifts of love may be given to Bethlehem Baptist Church, Orange. Interment at Hillcrest Cemetery, Aurora Rd., next to Jay. Afterwards, a meal and reception of Birdie's life will follow at Bethlehem Baptist Church.