She was born February 18, 1917 in Brunswick a second daughter to Harold and Margaret Alexander Nickerson. She was educated in Brunswick schools, and a graduate of Brunswick High School, class of 1935. She was a charter member of the Hawthorne Chapter of the National Honor Society; a tradition that has continued for four generations.
Sylvia married Robert Ouellette on September 1, 1941 in Brunswick where the couple raised their two daughters, Margaret Anne and Beatrice. Sylvia was employed at W.T Grant CO., later working in the Brunswick Town clerk’s office and retiring as Town Clerk after 23 years of service.
For many years Sylvia belonged to the Brunswick Fire Department Auxiliary and was very active with preparing meals for the firemen in times of emergency, having experienced the forest fires of the 1940s and 1950s. Sylvia had also served as an assistant Girl Scout leader, a communicant and a Eucharistic Minister of St. John’s Church, and a President of the St. John’s School Guild.
She and Bob traveled extensively while he was State Deputy and State Master of the Knights of Columbus; a passion the couple enjoyed into retirement. Mr. Ouellette died in 2007.
Sylvia was very proud of her family and was happiest when, in spite of busy lives, the family would gather for any occasion. Sylvia enjoyed people and especially having the dining room table filled with family and friends. For the past six years, she had been a resident at Thornton Hall Assisted Living, Brunswick. At her urging Black Jack was played on Friday afternoons. She developed an interest in butterflies and became known, affectionately, as the butterfly lady.
Predeceased by a brother, H. Elliot
Nickerson, and a sister, Margaret Pelletier.
She is survived by her daughters, Margaret A. Quinn and her husband, Robert J. of Old Orchard Beach, Beatrice A. Lachance and her husband Russell P. of Somersworth, NH; six grandchildren, Barbara Quinn, Thomas Quinn, Linda Lachance, Patricia Lagueux, Christopher Quinn and Daniel Lachance; 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; a special nephew Richard Nickerson, his wife Beverly and family; several nieces and nephews.
Friends and family may visit 1-3pm, 6-8 pm Friday, May 5, 2017 at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 am Saturday May 6, 2017 at St John’s Church, Pleasant Street, Brunswick. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Brunswick.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. John’s School, Scholarship Fund, 37 Pleasant Street Brunswick, ME 04011, CHANS Home Health & Hospice, “Contributions”, 60 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011, Thornton Hall, Activities Fund, 56 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, Maine 04011, or charity of one’s choice.
Memories and condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.c om.
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