RHODA T. NICHOLSON (OWENS)

     Rhoda Theresa (Owens) Nicholson died peacefully with her loving family around her on Tuesday, January 17.

Born in Worcester in 1931 to John J. and Veronica Delia (Noonan) Owens, Rhoda attended St. Peter’s Elementary School and St. Peter’s and Commerce high schools. She graduated from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in 1953. She served as a nurse for over 40 years, both in private duty nursing and then at the Notre Dame Nursing and Assisted Living Center on Plantation Street in Worcester.

Rhoda’s beloved husband of 50 years, Donald Thomas Nicholson, died in 2011. Her daughter Anne Veronica Blake died on July 26 of last year. Rhoda was also predeceased by her sisters: Gwenith, Althea and Celine.

She leaves her son Donald T. Jr. and his wife Cynthia Nicholson of Lancaster, her daughter Jacqueline C. and her husband Patrick Cook of Lowell, and her son-in-law John Blake of Chelmsford; as well as her six grandchildren: John Blake, Andrew and Heather Cook and Benjamin, Joshua and Zachary Nicholson.

Rhoda also had a special relationship with her nieces Cheryl Cook of Salisbury and Judy Segura-Cook of Northwood, N.H. She also leaves her nephews Robert and Nicholas Pasic as well as nieces Maureen Pasic and Patricia Genese.

She was a longtime member of St. Columba’s Church in Paxton.

Rhoda dazzled her family with her “green thumb,” always cheering up her family with flowers and plants both inside and outside her house. She was also a phenomenal cook, whose home-cooked meals were a treasure to her family, especially around the holidays. Most importantly, Rhoda adored her family and dedicated her life to caring, sustaining and nurturing them all. She found boundless rejuvenation in the cherished company of her grandchildren.

There will be a calling hour Saturday, January 21, from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Columba’s Church, 18 Richards Ave., Paxton. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.