Ruth Nichols

Ruth Elizabeth (Harris) Nichols age 92, of Erie, passed away with grace on Saturday, December 26, 2015 at Manchester Commons.

She was born in Battle Creek, MI on March 18, 1923 a daughter of the late Arthur and Elsie Wood Harris.

Ruth graduated with distinction from Millcreek High School, class of 1941.She was a member of the National Honor Society and attended Erie Business College on a PTA scholarship. She completed Comptometer and IBM School and was a valued employee at Erie Foundry Co. in the Accounting and Payroll Department.

She was a lifetime member of the Gridley Chapter 324, Order of the Eastern Star and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi International.

During WWII, Ruth was a Red Cross Grey Lady Volunteer and a Red Cross blood donor.

She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church since 1954 and was very active in the United Methodist Woman.

Raising three sons, she attended training and was an Advanced Den Mother, Washington Trail Council.

She was married for 61 years to the late James H. Nichols and was very involved in being the wife of a school teacher and principal. Ruth was very artistic and enjoyed sewing and making lovely items for her family and grandchildren and was a wonderful cook. Upon their retirement, Ruth and her husband enjoyed vacationing, taking trips across the US to visit their late son, James R. Nichols and his children, Mike, Megan, Bryan, Steve and Sarah. She delighted in watching her granddaughters, Claire and Elizabeth grow up and spent many happy hours with them. Her family, her church and a love for animals, were all important parts of her life.

In addition to her husband and son, she was preceded in death by a grandson, James J. Nichols; sister, Dorothy Harris DeVine and a brother, Robert Harris.

She is survived by her loving son, Paul D. Nichols and his wife Cheryl, their daughter, Elizabeth and son, Thomas H. Nichols and his wife Peggy and their daughter Claire and her children all from Erie; seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved niece, Judi DeVine Fisher and her family from Glen Rock, PA; a loving nephew Allison DeVine and his family from Mt. Wolf, PA.

Per her request, there will be no visiting hours. There will be a private graveside service and inurnment at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W. 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506.

Memorials in Ruth’s name may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 4703 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA 16506, SPCA, Headquarters 350 E. Erie, Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134, or to the Humane Society of NWPA, 2407 Zimmerly Road, Erie, PA 16506.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com <http://www.Burtonfuneralhome.com>