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LOUISE NICHOLS
Born: Dec 11, 1940
Date of Passing: Apr 12, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryLOUISE NICHOLS
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Marie Thérèse Odile Louise Nichols.
Louise was a woman of boundless kindness, compassion, and quiet strength. She was born on December 11, 1940, and passed away on April 12, 2026, following a brief and sudden illness. Over her 85 years, she touched countless lives.
Louise was the daughter of Hertel O’Bready and Lucienne Lacroix, and sister to Jacques, Francine, and Pierre. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert. She leaves behind her loving children, Theresa and Glen; her treasured granddaughters, Ava and Brynn, who brought her immense pride and joy; and her sisters-in-law, Mary Nichols and Pierrette O’Bready.
In 1965, Louise married a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, beginning a life of adventure and travel. Together, they made homes in Cold Lake, Alberta; Valcartier, Québec; Chatham, New Brunswick; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Colorado Springs, Colorado, before eventually settling in Headingley, Manitoba.
While Louise held positions in both military and civilian life, her greatest passion was caring for others. Her lifelong commitment to volunteerism was recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. She gave generously of her time to the American and Canadian Red Cross, as well as to Grace Hospital. Her dedication took her to Los Angeles after devastating earthquakes, to St. Louis following severe flooding, and to New York in the days following September 11. In Canada, she supported communities facing evacuation during fires and floods, always ready to help wherever she was needed.
Louise devoted many years to Grace Hospital, later serving as President of the Grace Hospital Auxiliary, where she helped raise vital funds. She and her husband also shared in leading the hospital’s "Breakfast with Santa" event, creating special memories for many local families. She quietly supported numerous charities throughout her life.
She found purpose in helping others and found joy in life’s simple, beautiful moments. She loved her family deeply and delighted in dancing, shopping, flowers, art, and ice cream - small pleasures that brought her great happiness.
Louise was stronger and more resilient than many ever knew, facing life’s challenges with determination and grace until the very end.
Our family extends heartfelt thanks to her dear friends and to the staff at Action Marguerite for their compassion, kindness, and care during her final days.
A celebration of Louise’s life will be held on May 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 18, 2026
