Holly Nicholson

11/4/1952 - 9/20/2024

Gray, Maine - Holly Nicholson, age 71, of Little Sebago Lake in Gray, Maine, and sister of Leslie Nicholson Suarez, passed away peacefully Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, with her husband and her sister at her side. She was diagnosed in May with aggressive, late-stage lung cancer. It took her from us much too quickly after she gallantly battled the disease all summer.

To know Holly was to love her. She had a quiet elegance and trusting demeanor, never needing to be the center of attention. She drew people in and left them wanting more. Holly was practical and organized, intelligent and fun. She was generous with her time and always willing to be there for her family, friends and many pets that she rescued over the years.

Holly was born in Superior, Neb., on election day, Nov. 4, 1952. Her family moved to Anamosa, Iowa, in the early 60s, where she graduated in 1970. During her high school years, she was very involved in vocal music and she played the flute in the band. She spent summers lifeguarding at the municipal pool and waiting tables at "Mr. Steak" in Cedar Rapids. Her family moved to Maine in 1972, and after she finished school at a community college, she set out in her VW Beetle to join them. She loved her Iowa roots and friends but moved to Winthrop, Maine to be near her family. One of Holly's first jobs in Maine was working for Central Maine Senior Citizens. It was there that she developed a deep interest in working with seniors. Only a year or so later, she met Ron her beloved husband of 45 years at Hazel Green's Restaurant in Augusta. Little did she know that her mother had interviewed Ron that day at an employment agency. She had an immediate fondness for him and considered telling Holly about him, but saw that he was a year and a half younger than she and figured she wouldn't be interested in a "younger man." As the story goes, when Holly told her mother about this "Ron" she had met, it turned out to be the same man. Kizmet was at work.

In 1979, Holly and Ron were married and moved to Portland, Maine. Holly worked at Maria's Restaurant and helped to support Ron's accounting education at University of Southern Maine. Soon after, Holly was able to pursue her passion of knitting and managed Martha Hall, a catalogue yarn shop in Yarmouth. She was a superb knitter and enjoyed knitting with intricate patterns and helping customers with their projects. Not long after, she returned to her calling of advocating for senior citizens. She ended her career at The Cedars in Portland, Maine, which is a large facility of multi-level care for seniors, from assisted living to end-of-life care. Holly loved her work there. For 28 years before retiring, she was the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer.

Holly was a feminist who supported women empowerment, especially those less fortunate than she. She was very excited about the prospect of voting for Kamala in November, the day after her 72nd birthday, but God had a different plan for her.

Holly had a beautiful alto singing voice and sang with the Portland Community Choir for 25 years. She performed "Magic of Christmas" at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland each year. She considered her choir section part of her extended family. When Holly wasn't singing in the choir or while driving her car, she had fun singing karaoke at Christmas with her "sista," Leslie.

Holly is survived by her loving husband, Ron Poirier; her sister Leslie Nicholson Suarez; and her two nephews, Nicholas and Trevor Suarez. She was predeceased by her other sister Lisa; her mother Joan; and her father Clyde "Nick."

We would like to thank the many people who helped during Holly's illness: the residents of Birchwood Road, the "Ladies of Little Sebago Lake" who organized a Meal Train, the staff at Maine Medical, The Maine Health Cancer Care, The Cedars, the Hospice Care Team, and the Gray Fire and Rescue for providing excellent transport service which played a key role in allowing Holly to be at home. We would like to give a special thanks to Jessie Drouin, a neighbor who donated so much of her loving care during Holly's last few weeks at home. Most of all Holly was able to express her deep gratitude for the constant loving care and patience she received from her primary caregiver, her devoted husband Ron.

There will be a private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local animal shelter, women's shelter, The Cedars (https://www.thecedarsportland.org/), or the Portland Community Chorus (https://www.portlandcommunitychorus.org/).