Advertisement. Advertise with us

In Memoriam

Ella G. Nicklas

May 13, 1925 – Feb. 8, 2022

Ella G. Nicklas

COOPERSTOWN – Ella Grace Nicklas nee Schroder died peacefully on the evening of February 8, in her home at Merrill Gardens in Monterey, California. She was with her two daughters, Cathy and Meredith.

Ella was born May 13th, 1925 in Sydney, Australia. She graduated from Kogarah Girl’s School in Sydney. From 1943-1946 worked as a secretary for the American Army Medical Corp in Sydney during World War II. She married V. Earle Nicklas (Nick) on May 6, 1944. Nick was a Captain in the United States Army, 103rd Division, Hospital Corps.

Ella sailed to America aboard the SS Monterey with 400 Australian war brides. She landed in San Francisco and then took a train to New Jersey to meet Nick and her new in-laws. Her son Brent was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1948. Ella, Nick, and Brent moved to Baltimore, Maryland so Nick could study at Johns Hopkins University. They lived there for two years.

In 1951, they moved to Cooperstown, New York, where Ella and Nick would raise their family. They lived there for 30 years. Ella gave birth to three daughters, Catherine, Meredith, and Lindsey in Cooperstown. Nick was Assistant Director of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, and Ella owned and operated the Cooperstown Nursery School for 20 years. Ella studied for a B.S. from Empire State College and graduated in 1975. She then became Associate Director of Admissions at Hartwick College for six years.

In 1981, Ella moved to Monterey to become the Director of College Counseling at Santa Catalina School. She retired in 1996. She then worked in the Stanford University Admissions office for 5 years, retiring in 2001.

Ella had a lifelong interest in reading and books. For many years Ella and Nick owned a used, rare and antiquarian bookshop in Cooperstown, and Ella served as a trustee of the Village Library. Ella was a knitter, she loved flowers and gardening, and she was an avid traveler. All her life Ella studied and read poetry. For 20 years she was a member of two poetry societies in Monterey. She enjoyed nature and took long walks at Garland Park, Robera Road and Asilomar Beach.

She is survived by her four children: Brent Nicklas (Laura) of Palm Beach, FL; Catherine Stroud (Larry) of Sebastopol, CA; Meredith Nicklas of Monterey; Lindsey Nicklas of Cooperstown, NY; five grandchildren: Jed Leonard (Jennifer) of Allentown, PA,  Piper Wadleigh (Greg) of Petaluma, CA, Henry Stroud of Bend, OR,  Alexandra Nicklas of Manhattan, NY,  Kyle Yeten of Cooperstown, NY and four great-grandchildren; one niece and two nephews and their families in Australia.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Richard King his medical assistants, and Dr. Marc Lieberman. The family also wishes to thank the staff of Merrill Gardens. Ella had requested all memorial contributions to be made to the Children’s Room at the Village Library of Cooperstown.

You go a Waltzing Matilda with me, G’day Mate!!

Posted

2 Comments

  1. A truly lovely lady. A second mom to so many of us who were close to the family through Brent. Warm, encouraging, understanding, patient… invaluable traits needed so often by we miscreants growing up. Have thought of her often, missed her then, will miss her more now. Thank you, Mrs. Nicklas, for being such a vital part of my life.

  2. Dear Lady Ella family

    Lady Ella led a most beautiful purposeful life! You are loved and celebrated for eternity. Your legacy and your family will always have you in them. The Almighty has Ella Schroeder Nicklas in eternal embrace.
    AA Krau

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Related Articles

In Memoriam: A. George Eccleston, 71 August 28, 1951 – December 26, 2022

In MemoriamA. George Eccleston, 71August 28, 1951 - December 26, 2022 NEW BERLIN – A. George Eccleston, 71, of New Berlin, NY, passed away Monday December 26, 2022, in Cooperstown, NY, with his family by his side. George was born in Cortland, NY on August 28, 1951, the son of the late Clifford and Dora Watts Eccleston. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters Emily and Kathy and brother Ron.…

In Memoriam: Virginia L. Stocking

In Memoriam Virginia L. Stocking December 2, 1922-May 17, 2023 SPRINGFIELD CENTER—Virginia L. Stocking, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on May 17, 2023 at the age of 100.  Virginia was born in Cooperstown on December 2, 1922 to Earl and Catherine Richards. She spent most of her childhood in East Springfield and graduated from Springfield Central School in June of 1940. She married Glenn C. Stocking on April 9, 1944. Virginia and Glenn devoted their lives to each other and to their family.  In addition to spending time with her family, Virginia enjoyed playing the organ,…