​Anne Nicolson of Kinloss Township remembered for her love of family, nursing and horticulture

Annetta Chassels “Anne” Nicolson (née Hughes), RGN, SCM, of Kinloss Township, died peacefully at home, in the early morning of Dec. 3, 2024, at the age of 88.

Born in Paisley, Scotland, Jan. 2, 1936, she was the daughter of Jane and John C. Hughes.

With vivid childhood memories of a war-torn Britain, she was a lively, imaginative person, proud of her Scottish roots, with a deep appreciation for art and culture and a curiosity for the natural world.

She dreamed of being a horticulturalist, but in her time, women with career ambitions were expected to choose from a teaching or nursing profession. She chose the latter, becoming a Registered Nurse and Midwife.

In 1965, she and her husband, John ‘Ian’ Nicolson, moved to Ontario, Canada, where she spent the next 35 years practising as an RN, including at hospitals in Wingham and Kincardine, caring for others, and taking particular delight in helping bring new babies into the world.

Later, in retirement, she administered the Kincardine Hospital student volunteer program and was so proud of the students who went on to become nurses and doctors. She was also an enthusiastic member of the Kincardine Hospital Auxiliary.



Anne Nicolson (left) with Kincardine Hospital student volunteers and staff in 2016

If she had a passion, it was undoubtedly the modest 50-acre farm on Concession 10 in Kinloss Township that she and Ian purchased in 1971. Here, she could finally free the latent horticulturalist within, raise her family - including a few horses, chickens and pigs - and set about reclaiming the land for conservation.

Even after Ian’s untimely death in 1974, she vowed to remain on “the farm,” believing it was the best place to raise her girls, determined to stay there for the rest of her days, which she did.

She leaves behind her daughters, Lynne Nicolson (Tom White), Caryn Nicolson (Henry McLeish), and Dawn Nicolson (Martin Tyborski); grandsons, Eryn and Evan White; her siblings, Ina of Port Perry, David of England, and Jean and Jackie of Scotland; and her many nieces, nephews, and honourary grandchildren.

As Anne’s family, we owe a great deal of gratitude to many people. Throughout her life, nursing remained her anchor to the community. We thank her nursing colleagues who were also her friends throughout her life; and the local care teams that helped her age in place, including Kincardine Hospital staff, Dr. Jason Murray, our local pharmacists, Mike and Natalie McKechnie, and the Ontario Health at Home VON team, with special thanks to Katrina who provided gentle support in the days leading up to Anne’s death.

We also thank and acknowledge those special people who remained by her side, especially as times became challenging, in particular: Cindy and Dr. Bill Knox, Mary Armstrong, Maryanne Buehlow, and her neighbours Lloyd Hanna, Amos Wideman and family, Joseph Martin and family, and Cathy and Andy Page.

For all who knew her, her indomitable spirit will not be forgotten.

Private family arrangements.

If desired, memorial donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free!
Miss me a little - but not for long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.