Obituary of Jean Helen Nicholson
Jean Helen Foley was born on September 30, 1950 in Lincoln Park, Michigan. She was one of five beautiful daughters born from the union of James and Estelle Foley. Jean attended Lincoln Park High School in Lincoln Park, Michigan graduating with the class of 1969.
Jean met her future husband James R. Nicholson in Gibraltar at a park now known as Lake Erie Metro Park near the Huron River. James showed up to the party in his 1965 Impala while Jean had her 1969 Mustang Mach 1. It was love for both at first sight. The couple became inseparable ever since being joined in marriage on September 27, 1969. Together the couple would be blessed with two wonderful children: Teresa and James. Jean provided for the needs of her family as a homemaker. She was known to be loving and warm but wasn’t afraid to share her opinion and she could even be quite headstrong, all part of her charm!
Helping others was an inherent part of Jean. She learned CPR to make sure she was prepared for an emergency. One day she came across a young man from Chicago who was contemplating taking his own life. Jean was able to reason with him and talk him down, saving his life. This interaction created a lifelong bond as each year he called to thank her on that fateful day.
Jean loved playing online games and word games with the many online friends she had acquired over the years. She loved to shop and travel with her soulmate, husband James. The couple enjoyed visits to Myrtle Beach and Daytona Beach. Jean’s life was fulfilled with the addition of grandchildren, although she dearly loved her fur baby Zoe, a nine pound Shih Tzu.
Jean Helen Nicholson, age 72 of Monroe, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on Sunday; January 22, 2023 at the ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital in Monroe, Michigan. Her passing was preceded by her parents: James and Estelle Foley; a son: James Ross Nicholson; and three sisters: Constance, Shirley and Betty.
To cherish her memory, she leaves a loving husband of fifty-three years: James R. Nicholson of Monroe; her daughter: Teresa (James) Thomas of Maybee, Michigan; a sister: Judy Kovacs of Wyandotte, Michigan; three grandchildren: Symone Thomas of Chicago, Illinois, Somer Nicholson of Monroe, and Zachery Thomas of Maybee; and canine companion: Zoe.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Jean’s care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. Cremation has taken place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.
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