Sharon Nicholls passed away on December 8, 2013 at home with her loving and caring husband following an extended illness.
Sharon was born on February 15, 1942 to Sam and Dorothy Payne in Great Falls. When she was just 3 weeks old she lost her mother due to complications from childbirth. Her “Daddy” joined the navy so she went to live with her grandparents Firm and Mary Harris in Cascade until the age of 6 when her dad remarried. Sharon then returned home to live with her dad Sam and stepmother Betty in Ulm.
At the age of 15 Sharon met the love of her life Skip Nicholls. When she was just 16 years old they got permission from their parents and were married on July 29, 1958. Their honeymoon was spent in a bunkhouse on a farm in Cascade while Skip worked. Sharon followed Skip to Great Falls where he acquired work and they started their family. They had three children Mike, Laura and Steve.
In 1966 they packed the family up and moved to Helena where Sharon devoted her life to her children. She volunteered at the schools they attended and was a Cub Scout leader.
Sharon had a passion for animals all her life. If a stray came wondering up you can bet that she gave it a new home. In 1979 Skip and Sharon moved out in the country where she could expand her variety of animals adding cows, chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, peacocks and many others giving names to almost all of them.
Sharon learned from her “Daddy” how to play jokes on people. She would often pack a suitcase for Skip when he would go on trips and when he went to put his pants or socks on he would find the holes sewn together or she talked the grandchildren into making him a sandwiches with plastic in them. You just never knew what she might come up with.
While living out in the country Sharon went to work for Edger Brown at his bar in Silver City where she was able to show people just how big her heart was, caring and nurturing for him and many of the customers. She also worked up at the Marysville House, St Peters Hospital, and Helena School District just to name a few.
Sharon was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy Payne, her father Sam Payne, brother Jack Caldwell, grandparents Firm and Mary Harris, mother and father in law Muriel and Arlo Nicholls and a great granddaughter not to mention many pets.
She is survived by her husband Skip, children Mike, Laura, Steve (Joanie), 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 1 on the way. Sharon was also survived by her special aunt Margaret Alm, stepmother Betty Payne, sisters Linda (Corky) Hunt, Cindy (Dave) Christenson, brothers Sam (Darlene) Payne, Dan (Lori) Payne, Jimmy Payne, Larry (Pat) Caldwell, Mark (Wendy) Caldwell and many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. You can’t forget her cats Chubbs and Boss and her dog Rounder.
A “Mom” to many and a friend to all. You will truly be missed.
A special thank you to Frontier Home Health and Hospice Care for all the loving care you have provided through this very difficult time in our lives. The family would also like to thank Pastor Larry Miller and the staff at the First Lutheran Church for their kind services.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 13th at the First Lutheran Church, 2231 Broadway Street, Helena. A luncheon reception will immediately follow the service at the church. Memorial may be sent to St. Peter’s Alzheimer’s Fund c/o St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Sharon.
Ray and Steph says
Good bye Our beautiful Friend May you Fly with the angels and flowers Bloom in your Name..
Larry & Pat Caldwell says
Such a wonderful person Sharon was, always a smile & caring about everyone! We remember the Christmas Eve’s at Sam & Betty’s and the many family reunions. We remember a family bbq with a whole pig at their Helena home in the country & all her animals. Our loving thoughts go out to all her family and many friends.
Tammy Mix says
I love you grandma…you will never be forgotten. Thankyou for being there for me growing up, if it wasnt for you I wouldnt be the person I am today. Thankyou for leaving all the wonderful memories behind that I will keep close to my heart.
Kathy Orsello says
To Skip and family, I was so sorry to hear about Sharon. She was one of the best, and the most beloved person I have ever known. You know she is up in heaven with that beautiful sparkle in her eyes, giving them a little hell…in a good way of course! I still think about Sharon stories and always have to laugh. Like when she accidently shot her rooster thinking it was the fox! What a character she was, with the biggest heart in the world.
Know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you, along with a big hug for you Skip. She touched the lives of so many people. She will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace dear friend.
Diana Nelson says
Skip and family. Kenny, Thano and I have all of you in our thoughts. This is such heartbreaking news. I too will never forget the sparkle in her eyes. Especially when there was a Skip and Sharon’s life story being told. Thinking of all of you.
Rdee Armstrong Lazzaro says
Skip and family: I am so sad right now. I didn’t know of her illness. She was my very best friend in school and when I was able to come to reunions it was great to see you. We used to laugh and tease and have such fun together. Great memories.
Walter (Butch) Woods says
I am so sorry to hear about our loss of Sharon, I am glad that I was able to talk to her on the phone when I was in Helena over a year ago. All of our condolences to Skip, Margaret Alm, and the Family, wish we could be there for the services, however, I will be there in spirit.
Butch Woods says
Peace be with you Sharon, you are no longer in pain.
Sherlene Stanger says
Skip, I am sorry to learn of Sharon’s passing, she always made me laugh. She was a hard worker and I enjoyed working with you both at the school district. God Bless.