Sue Nickerson
April 25, 1946 ~ December 27, 2016
DANVERS - Mary Susan (Santpaula) Nickerson, 70, passed away on December 27, 2016, in the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. She was the wife of the late John Nickerson, with whom she shared 45 years of marriage.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Sue was the daughter of the late Ralph and Mary (Hanrahan) Santapaula. She graduated from Bishop Fenwick High School in 1964 and went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in English and MAT in American Literature at Salem State College.
Known as Mrs. Nickerson to her students, Sue taught English at Danvers High School for 36 years. Upon her retirement, Sue took on the role as “Gram” to her beloved grandchildren, Jack and Nora. For the past ten years, Sue had a profound impact on their lives.
Sue was very active within her community. As a longtime member of the Danvers Garden Club, she served as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. She also volunteered with the Danvers Historical Society, working with the elementary schools with the Local History Program. Sue was also a devoted communicant of Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church.
Sue is survived by her children, Megan Nickerson of North Andover and Michael Nickerson and his wife, Katie Symmes of Danvers, and their four children, Jack, Nora, Annalee and Charlie. Sue was predeceased by her son Matthew Nickerson.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11AM on Monday, January 2, 2017, in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 1, 2017, from 3-7 PM at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Danvers People-to-People Food Pantry, PO Box 2076, Danvers, MA, 01923.
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I will always remember Sue’s kindness to all; her dedication to her students; and, her lover for her family. We taught together at Danvers High School and shred the joy of our children. I will miss her. – Judy Yahoodik
Mrs. Nickerson was tough, dedicated and motivating – everything a teacher should be. She is, by far, the teacher who had the most impact on my life. She was extremely tough on me – and later told me it was because she saw potential. She helped me see that I had the passion and ability to become a writer, and she helped nurture it in me. Had it not been for her guidance, I am not sure that I would have pursued that field in college and beyond.
In 2009, 8 years after graduating high school, I received a note from her after the birth of my daughter. She wrote to congratulate me and to tell me that she, also, had a (granddaughter) Nora Grace!
My deepest sympathy and condolences are with her friends and family at this difficult time.
Jennifer (Small) Hartwig
I had seen more of “Sue” since November of this year than usual and I am so
grateful for her help these past few years in our card ministry to the homebound
of our Parish of St. Mary’s. A ministry she loved being involved in.
I will miss her friendship and gentle, caring spirit.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her children, grandchildren and many friends.
I would like to add a special quote that I feel says so much.
“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved
we can never lose, for all that we love deeply
becomes a part of us.” ( Helen Keller)
With love and prayers,
Linda Perrino
Sue was a long time friend who lived just a few houses down from Christine and me. We received a Christmas card from her just a couple of days ago, and she never let on that she was ill. She graduated with me from Bishop Fenwick and we never lost touch over the years. Christine and I are shocked at the news and will miss her dearly.
Dick Moody
I knew Sue through her involvement with the Danvers Historical Society’s third grade program! Over the past five years Sue helped me in revising the program’s activities based on input from the third grade teachers and curriculum coordinator, Julie Posternack.
Sue also coordinated and facilitated the activities with me and several other volunteers (most of them, retired Danvers teachers.) She also developed activities and co-edited a new activity book, “Our Town,” for the third graders. She also created with me a virtuasl tour of Danvers history. Sue even got the high school band’s permission to use their music on the virtual tour DVD.
Sue often recruited her grandchildren to test out the activities “Our Town.” We appreciated getting Nora’s and Jack’s feedback. Nora will be attending the program next June as she is now in the third grade. Sue was looking forward to Nora’s participation. It will be sad ot have Sue leading the activities, but she will be thete in spirit!
We will all miss her enthusiasm and dedication to teach children about their local history.
I will personally miss her very much. In a short time we became close friends.
Sheila Cooke-Kayser
Education Team Leader
Danvers Historical Society
Sue, John and their three little ones were neighbors in Salisbury before they moved to Danvers. They were exactly the kind of people you would wish to have as neighbors. Friendly, outgoing and willing to lend a hand on any project anyone was in the middle of pursuing. Now she can rejoin her husband and son and make their new home a better place for all who reside there.
Megan and Michael,
I am SO sorry to hear about your Mom. I’ve been delivering her mail for 27 years, she was my English Teacher in High School! She was a GREAT person!! I’ll miss ALL the wonderful stories she’s shared with me throughout the years, we chatted every day as Nora was doing her kart wheels on the front lawn! And Jack would get the mail from me! I will miss her homemade breads she made for me EVERY Christmas! That were simply delicious! She was the most thoughtful, kind, generous, loving Person I’ve ever met! She talked very highly of you both and Nora and Jack! I’m very sadden to learn of her passing, I’ve been on vacation this week and Sheila told me. I’m thinking of you both and Nora and Jack, that really adored your Mom, she was an amazing Grandmother to them!! Your all in our thoughts and prayers. I’ll never forget all the memories you Mom gave me. She will be greatly missed by everyone!
Sue was one of my English teachers at Danvers High and we also taught there together in the late 1990’s. She was always so quick and vibrant! It is sad to hear of her passing as she is too young, but she will surely not be forgotten.
Tom Kerans
Sue and I were friends – both at Bishop Fenwick and at Salem State. In fact, Sue was maid of honor at my wedding in 1969. We reside in VA, so I have been communicating via email with Sue for the last several years. She reached out with condolences after my Mom died – another example of her kindness and humanity which so many have mentioned here.
Sue often sent photos of Jack and Nora with whom she did so many interesting and educational projects. She truly relished her role as Grandmother.
Megan and Michael, thank you for sharing the sad news. I was never aware of Sue’s illness, but I am certain that is the way she would want it.
I know this is a difficult time for you and your family. I hope that your memories of your Mom will bring you comfort in the future. Until then you and your family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill and Trish (Keeffe) McGinness
Fairfax Station, VA
Our deepest sympathies to Mike and the Nickerson family. I’m sorry to hear of your mom’s passing & hope years of memories bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Mark & Kathleen D’Amico
As I read the Salem New obituary of your mother I realized that you highlighted what I also see as your mother’s most important legacy, the profound effect she had on Jack and Nora’s lives. Your mother poured so much love and effort into enriching Jack and Nora’s lives. She gardened with them, baked with them, and swam with them. All of the activities that were important to her became important to them. She researched all the prize-winning children’s book and read them to her grandchildren, thus instilling in them her love of reading.
She was the proud Gram who attended every single one of their school activities and sporting events, snapping photographs, and showing her support for all of their accomplishments. Plays, concerts, museums, town celebrations-Sue introduced Jack and Nora to all forms of cultural entertainment. Nora and Jack brought so much joy to her and she in turn brought so much joy to them. She devoted much of the last ten years of her life to making life long memories for Jack and Nora, a gift that will have a lasting effect on their lives. They will never forget their Gram nor will I.
Love,
Sue Robertson
To Sue’s family and many friends and colleagues,
I was so shocked and saddened to read of her death. She was such a positive and energetic individual who put so much dedication and effort into every project. Our 50th Bishop Fenwick reunion was only one of many I am sure.
May your memories console you and may she rest in perfect peace.
Jo Sullivan
Lynn, MA
Lit a candle in memory of Sue Nickerson
sue and john were our niehbors on bayberry lane in Salisbury mass a really great couple may they rest in peace
I was a student of Mrs Nickerson from 1982 until 1983 and had a great experience with her as my teacher. She was always very supportive and very kind to me. I’m sorry to learn that she has passed away. My name is Jonathan Plourde