Virginia J. Nicholls

Age 94. Beloved wife of the late Richard. Loving mother of Nancy (Ron) Maisner, Patricia (Philip) Nicholls, Richard (Linda), Michael (Sandy Meeks) and Robert (Terrye) Nicholls. Dear sister of Ted (late Krystyna) Horoszy, late Leonard Horoszy, late Lorraine (late Joseph) Wojichowski and the late Joanne (Robert) Drew. 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Virginia was a long time member of Our Lady of the Angels Church.

Visitation 3:00pm - 8:00pm Friday, February 14 at Weise Funeral Home, 7210 Park, Allen Park (313-382-1150).

Funeral service 10:00am Saturday, February 15 (In state from 9:30am) at Our Lady of the Angels Church, 6442 Pelham, Taylor.

Interment Michigan Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions in Virginia's memory may be directed to Heartland Hospice, 26211 Central Park Blvd., S. 600 Southfield MI 48076.

Virginia Julia Nicholls, 94, of Allen Park, Michigan entered into eternal rest with her Lord on February 10, 2020. Virginia lived her life to the fullest, being committed to her family, faithful in her religious beliefs, devoted to her country, especially the Republican party, the matriarch of her family, and nicknamed the mayor of her beloved Herrick Street.

Virginia was born on May 12, 1925 in her Aunt Catherine’s house in Hamtramck, MI. She grew up in Dearborn MI to loving parents, the oldest of five children. While her father emigrated from Poland and had no family in Michigan, her mother was raised on a farm in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, one of 13 children. This amazing family grew, blessing Virginia with 40 first cousins! After graduating high school, while in the midst of WW II, Virginia worked at the Cadillac plant inspecting tanks for the war effort as a proud Rosie Riveter. After the war she worked at a car dealership and met the love her life, Richard. They were married on October 18, 1947 and bought a small house in Ecorse Township. In 1954 they moved to Herrick Street in Allen Park where she lived for 65 years. Virginia was a happy homemaker being totally devoted to her husband and her children.

The challenges in Virginia’s live began in 1971 when her beloved Richard died of esophagus cancer. Virginia struggled with being a widow and a single Mom of two teenagers, but by the good graces of a friend, she was offered a job at Oakwood hospital. This opportunity provided Virginia with a new purpose, affording her new friends and social activities which led to a new phase of her life. Upon her retirement in 1991 she continued to live a blessed life being involved with her family, her siblings, her many cousins, her friends, travelling and church activities.

Virginia’s was totally devoted to her five children, thirteen grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. She took her role as Grandma very seriously and felt a sense of responsibility to mentor the grandchildren to be raised with good values. She understood and accepted each of them as individuals and maintained a special relationship with her lucky thirteen. For her 90 ^th birthday each of the grandchildren wrote a special letter to their grandmother, which they bound into a treasured book. Each grandchild had something unique to write, with very little replication. These stories are a testament to Virginia’s special relationships to each of her grandchildren and establishes her legacy. These stories reminisced about family vacations, family get-togethers and attendance at sporting events and school activities. They described fun activities such as playing school, hide and seek, card games, puzzle making, pierogi making and playing baseball at Torch Lake. The stories described how Grandma taught them life’s lessons such as working hard, being frugal, kind, polite, respectful, responsible, and proud of your heritage. Virginia stressed the importance of family traditions and shared stories of her early life especially summer days on her Grandparent’s farm, life during WW II and the Great Depression. Many of the grandchildren recognized their Grandmas’ stamina and her willingness to try new things, such as white water rafting, horseback riding, train rides down a copper mine, conquering her fear of heights and travelling to all 50 states. It was also noted that she could recite all the states and their capitals from memory! And, of course, everyone had to be a member of the clean plate club since Virginia never wasted anything, especially food. Virginia’s efforts as a mentor were rewarded by all her lucky 13 growing up to be successful in their careers and exceptional individuals.

Andrea remembered interviewing Virginia for a class project and how proud she was that her Grandma had accomplished so much in her life. In the interview, Virginia was asked what her hopes and goals were for her family and herself. She responded “That my family continues to be successful in their ventures. I hope my grandchildren can do as well as their parents. As for myself, I hope I will never be a burden to my children. I hope when my turn comes, I go without too much trouble, and I go with God”. Those of us that were with her at the end would testify that she accomplished these goals. In Virginia’s last days she made it clear that she was ready to move on to be with God and her beloved Richard. Her hope for all of us would be that we never give up searching to find God’s faith and to cherish it once we find it, so we can all join her when our time comes.