Obituary of Antoinette L. Nichols

Antoinette L. (Mele) Nichols Antoinette L. (Mele) Nichols of Endicott, born September 4, 1921 passed to her well-deserved eternal reward on February 17, 2015. She was 93 ½ years young. She was very proud to tell you she was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan to Charles and Frances Mele before moving with her family back to Bari, Italy and not returning to NYC until she was ten years old. "Tootsie," her family's true matriarch, was predeceased by her parents, four sisters, one brother; her husband, C. Barton Nichols; her sons, Chuck and Michael; and most recently her grandson, Cory Sherling. She is survived by her daughters, Toni (Larry) Sherling of Endicott, NY, Francine (Wolf) Seuling of Phoenix, AZ, Bill (Janice) Nichols of New York, NY; 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; and her first great great-grandchild, Colton Keith Sherling; two brothers, Fred (Cathy) Mele, Charlie (Jennie) Mele; several nieces and nephews and cousins. Her endless life stories of having to learn the English language at ten, growing up during the Depression and working as a waitress at the first New York's World Fair are far too numerous to list, but her life as she would tell you was fulfilled by being the greatest Mom first and beloved Grandma "Toots" second (that was when she wasn't in church or a parish bingo game or recently with her friends at the Broome West Senior Center). You "did it all YOUR way" Mom and we couldn't have asked for any better. Now you can truly rest in peace. The family would like to extend sincerest thanks to Dr. Sanjiv Patel for treating our Mom with the utmost love, respect, and dignity before finally referring her to the equally loving hands of Lourdes Hospice and then to loving care of Father Jim Serowik. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 1:00 p.m. at St Anthony of Padua Church, Odell Ave., Endicott. Burial will be in Riverhurst Cemetery in Endwell. The family will receive friends at the church Monday from 12 noon until service time at 1:00 p.m. Contributions may be made in Mom's memory to either Mercy House c/o Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell, NY 13760 or to "Team Running for Cory" (Leukemia/Lymphoma Society) c/o Drew, 157 Bent Oak, Royal Palm Beach, FL, 33411.