Margaret Nickel
October 17, 1936 – October 1, 2021
Ami (Dell) passed away peacefully on October 1, 2021 at the Dryden Regional Health Center after a brief courageous battle with cancer.
She was born in Barwick, Ontario on October 17, 1936 and worked in the hospital in Fort Frances Ontario until she got married in 1956. She became a mother for the first time in 1957 and from that point onwards her life was dedicated to her children and their families. There was never a moment that she ever put herself before her family.
One of her joys was cooking your favourite foods for the many occasions that life presents. Mountains of pierogies, fresh bread and buns and her famous crispy chicken to name a few. She always stood out from the crowd when it came to adding that special touch to any meal. No matter who was there or what they brought, the highlight was when Ami showed up with her labour of love.
She was also an enthusiastic gardener and it would be a rare occasion that we didn’t have a healthy nutritious meal that contained some of the delightful fresh vegetables she so diligently provided. Another of her ventures was to go out berry picking so she could make homemade jams and jellies with raspberry jam being one of her favourites.
The wonders of nature never passed her by. Whether it was the beauty of a frosty morning or the birds in the trees, she loved it all. The northern lights, a thunderstorm or the majesty of the stars in the night sky brought her much delight.
She was a true lover of sports as well. An avid bowler and baseball player and the many sports on television which included her beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.
In her spare time she enjoyed reading and doing crosswords while listening to Classic Rock. When she found the time to relax a bit, Coronation Street, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and classic movies were something she liked watching and even discussing on the phone with her friends and family.
The calmest person you could ever meet. Considering she had 6 children she somehow always seemed to be able to have a level head about things. Not just with her family but all the characters we dragged into the household over the years. She seemed to have room for everyone.
Dell was predeceased by her parents Ben and Lila Hadley, sister Lynn Johnson and brother Grant Hadley.
She will be lovingly remembered by her siblings Bruce Hadley, Phyllis Kivari, June Wheatley, Rilla Race and Glenda Hadley, her children Evelyn (Michael) Olson, Gary Nickel, Carol (Roger) Peterson, Todd (Grayce) Nickel, Wendy (Richard) Vandenbroeke and Kevin Nickel, grandchildren Alicia Olson, Philip Olson, Donovan (Lyndie) Nickel, Amber Nickel, Walter Kowal, Tina (Tyler) Johnson, Troy Peterson, Kaytryna Nickel, Heidi (Andrew) Lucking and Jacob (Selena Albert) Vandenbroeke, and great grandchildren Anthony Nickel, Estrella Nickel, Miranda Knockleby, Whitney Hammer and Jensen Nickel. Her gentle spirit shall be with us always. Our many thanks to the all the staff at the Dryden Regional Health Center and ParaMed Home Health Care Services for their care and consideration during this difficult time.
Interment at the Chaple Cemetery in Barwick, Ontario to be held at a later date.
Donations can be made to the DRHC Oncology Unit Dryden through the Stevens Funeral Home. 50 Albert Street Dryden, Ontario P8N 1H7. Condolences may be posted on Stevens Funeral Homes Facebook page or www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca
