Obituary: Leila “Penny” Nichols, 87, of Stony Lake.

August 15, 2022

Penny Nichols

Obituary: Leila “Penny” Nichols, 87, of Stony Lake.

Leila Penelope Nichols, known to the many people who loved her as Penny, died Thursday, August 11, 2022, at the age of 87. The second of seven children born January 5, 1935, to Cyril and Lillian Peterson. To her family, she was a friend, a confidante, and—in the case of her three younger siblings—a second mother.

On March 24 of 1961 Penny married her long-time sweetheart, Walter Nichols. They lived in Stony Lake, where they raised three children.

Penny was raised in a big family and she had a correspondingly big heart. Many people who were neither Peterson nor Nichols became part of Penny’s own personal family, thanks to her kindness, warmth and infectious sense of humor. She would spare anyone the time for a cup of coffee and a few laughs, and was universally loved.

Penny is survived by: siblings Darlene, John, Carola, and Christian; children, Michael, Rachel, and Buzz; grandchildren, Parker Tufts, Willow Tufts, Michael Nichols, Hank Nichols and Phoebe Nichols.

Penny was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Walter; brother Robert; sister Betty; and grandson James.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, followed by a brief memorial service, with Pastor Daniel Barnum-Steggerda officiating and a luncheon at the Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, 51 E. Third Street, Shelby. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery Stony Lake, 8750 W. Thomas Road, Shelby.

The Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.