Carol Ann Nickens

Carol Ann Nickens, 78, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and most cherished friend, passed away October 15, 2024, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family and those who loved her. 

She was born on April 11, 1946 in Williamsburg Kentucky, to the late Estel Lovitt Sr. and Virginia (Snell) Lovitt. She moved to Sylvania, Ohio where she graduated high school and raised her wonderful family.

Carol lived a life full of love, and of the things she loved the most were her 11 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren. She spent her days lovingly tending her garden, full of the most beautiful and fragrant blooms. When she wasn’t in the garden, she was busy quilting masterpieces full of different shapes and colors with love in every single stich. Her quilts have wrapped 3 generations in their love and are a constant reminder of her creative and bright spirit. Her work was truly unmatched, and she traveled to fabric shops all over to find the perfect fabric for her creations. 

She was a mother to all who knew her and always extended her hand with love and kindness. It didn’t matter where you came from, anyone who walked through the door would become family. Carol was devoted to her children and grandchildren, she dove into their passions headfirst, always being the loudest cheerleader in the crowd and present for every event. She was a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan and enjoyed sharing her love of the game with her family always hoping for another win. 

Carol was an avid storyteller, her love for books and for reading were passed down to her children and grandchildren who all now share a deep passion for literature. When she would tell a story about bygone days of the past, the room would grow quiet as all ears tuned in to listen, hanging on every word. She, along with her gaggle of grandchildren, were regulars at the local library. If she did not have a piece of fabric or a pair of gardening shears in her hand, she would be holding a book and would spend many hours beside the lamp with one of her many novels. 

Summers were spent at the lakeside in Walden Woods IN, where Carol loved to kayak with her best friend Darlene. She loved to swim and when she wasn’t paddling on the water she was in the water. When the day was over, she enjoyed many nights around the campfire playing cards and laughing with her friends and family. 

Those left to forever cherish her memory and pass down her stories are her loving husband of 59 years Robert Nickens; daughters, Linda (Larry) Phillips, Kim (Scott) Kahn, Shelly (Scott) Ricker, Robbin (Herman) Burmeister; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brother, Estel Lovitt Jr.; her lifelong friend, Darlene Weber and very good friends Gert Leland and Susan Yates; and the many others whom Carol loved and cared for throughout her life. 

In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her son, Jeff Nickens; and sister, Brenda Vernon.

Family and friends may visit at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 West Laskey Road, Toledo, Ohio, 43623, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 2:00pm until 6:30pm. At 6:30pm there will be a sharing of memories, so please come with a favorite story or memory to share. 

To share a memory of Carol or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.