Sheila M. Nicholson

Sheila M. Nicholson

Sheila Mary (Thompson) Nicholson was born on February 14, 1939, and died on July 24, 2025, peacefully. Her parents were George Rudolph and Catherine (Murphy) Thompson. Sheila was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in University Heights, a suburb of Cleveland. She attended and graduated from Gesu School and chose Beaumont School for Girls for High School that she attended until the end of her Junior year when her father's job, an executive with Standard Oil, was transferred to Toledo. Sheila finished her high school education at St. Ursula Academy. Even though she was only there one year, some of her classmates became lifelong friends. To continue her education, she chose St. Louis University, a Jesuit-run school in St. Louis, Missouri. Upon graduation she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing which enabled her to take the state exam and become a registered nurse.

After graduation, Sheila returned home and was hired by the former St. Vincent Hospital as a staff nurse. A few months later the former St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing asked her to join the faculty where she taught nursing fundamentals and was a clinical instructor.

In June of 1962, she married John Patrick "Pat" Nicholson and they had 4 sons, James Patrick (Peggy McCarthy), Michael George (Allison Telb), Robert Francis (Sarah Karst) and Timothy Joseph (Kristen Ballmer); and one "daughter," Karin Staub (Nik Suter).

All of her sons attended St. Francis de Sales High School and during that time, Sheila was a member of the Chappuis Society and volunteered for Housewalks, the Knight Christmas Party and many other activities.

Sheila was employed by Notre Dame Academy as the school nurse over a span of 15 years. She especially took pride in coordinating the student effort in the annual Red Cross Blood Drive. In order to gain school nurse certification, she took graduate level classes at the University of Toledo.

Sheila was invited to be a member of the Junior League of Toledo and was an active and sustaining member for more than 20 years. She also served 2 terms on the board of Ohio Parents for Drug Free Youth.

In her later years, she became a member of the Christ Child Society of Toledo that serves needy children and their families.

She leaves 10 grandchildren, Patrick (Molly), Kelly (Caitlynn), Jackson, Kadence, Emily, Ryan, Samantha, Jillian, Kennedy and Brady. She has one great-grandchild, Oliver, who was born on December 2, 2024.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her sister and brother-in-law, Caroline and David Beal; her brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Nancy Thompson. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, George R. Thompson Jr., and his wife, Mary Jane; daughter-in-law, Peggy Nicholson; and her husband, Pat Nicholson.

Visitation will be held at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Road, on Thursday, July 31st, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Gesu Catholic Church, on Friday, August 1st, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.

She was a devoted wife to her beloved husband of 59 years, a nurturing mother to their four sons, a dedicated and respected nurse, and a genuine friend to those who knew her. Her life was defined by her faith, unwavering love, quiet strength, and selfless devotion to her family. A woman of deep compassion and kindness, she touched the lives of all who knew her with her warmth, wisdom, and generous heart.

The Nicholson Family would like to thank the great people of Otterbein Sunset Communities, especially you Carmen, for taking great care of Mom over these last few years.

"Saint" Sheila has earned her first-class, one-way ticket to heaven. We expect Dad will be there to welcome her, though he may have had a few stops along the way. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

www.coylefuneralhome.com