Mary Nichols Obituary

Mary Ann Nichols died of natural causes at her home in Bozeman, Montana, on August 17th. Born in Hinsdale, Illinois, on June 26, 1941, to Mary Ann Reardon and Haakan Bjarne Groseth, Mary Ann lived in many places before settling in Montana. She attended college in New York, where she met her future first and second husband, John Hatley Nichols Jr. They wed in 1961 and moved to Austin, Texas, where their first son, Jack, was born in 1962. The three soon moved to Illinois, where their daughter, Tracy (1965), and their second son, Dawson (1967), were born close to Mary Ann's own birthplace. Subsequently, Mary Ann also lived in Colorado, Tennessee, and Alabama before moving to Montana. She and her husband shared adventurous souls and pursued an adventurous life.

Mary Ann nurtured deep and abiding friendships throughout her life. She loved visiting far-flung friends, but really she loved hosting - the more the merrier - opening her heart as well as her home to her many guests. She enjoyed a good cocktail and a lively debate, especially about politics. She had searching curiosity, a fierce intellect, and a wonderful sense of humor. She travelled widely but had a special place in her heart for Ireland and its people. She loved art of all kinds, especially novels, jazz, and classic films.

More than anything, Mary Ann loved her family. She was devoted to her husband and children, and she relished being a grandmother to Jack's children (with his wife Leslie): Johnny and Thomas; Tracy's children (with her husband Mike): Tyler, JD, and Mary Hatley; and Dawson's children (with his wife Jenny): Hannah and Rosie. She maintained close friendships with all of her siblings - Jon, Bob, Sanna, and Rolf Groseth, retired Chancellor of MSU Billings. She loved being around Rolf and his wife Jaynee's children and granddaughter in Bozeman during her last years.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, John, and her eldest son, Jack. She will be missed and celebrated by all who knew her. She was a bright light.