After 90 years of hard work and dedication, Nancy Nickerson entered into eternal rest on August 16, 2022 after a brief illness. She passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends.
She was born Nancy Jean Reckahn on June 23, 1932 to Alvin E. and Mary M. (Moran) Reckahn. She spent the first part of her life growing up in Buffalo, New York, where she met Donald K.W. Nickerson and they were married from September 4, 1954 until his death on March 07, 2000.
For the second part of her life, Don & Nancy lived in East Bethany and raised 5 children, a lot of pets and a few gardens. She worked for 24 years at the Red Osier Landmark in Stafford. Nancy earned a reputation for work ethic there, starting as a waitress and retiring as the office manager, and taking only 1 sick day while doing it.
When most people would be planning for retirement, Nancy embarked on the third part of her life – Living her dream of owning her own restaurant. Armed with the many friendships she had made, and that unmatched work ethic, she and Don started the D&R Depot in LeRoy NY, in September of 1991. Somewhere in there the talented and just as hard-working Sean and Jennifer Valdez became her business partners, a relationship that would last for the rest of her life.
For the last 31 years, Nancy’s life has centered around the restaurant. She loved to spend time with her grandkids, loved to travel, enjoyed reading, and community service, but she simply thrived at the Depot. That was what she had prepared most of her life to do, and she did it with gusto and with love (and some demanding standards). Every day was a chance to meet and greet so many old friends, so many new friends. Hospitality was her life, and she continued right to the end, being struck down while getting ready to go to work. That was Nancy.
Nancy is predeceased by her Husband, Parents, Brother, Howard Joseph Reckahn and Son-In-Law Harold (Judy) Larkin. She is survived by her children – David (Debi) Nickerson of Orchard Park NY; Judy Larkin of Repton Alabama; Jon (Margaret) Nickerson of Palmyra, NY; Jeffrey (Emma) Nickerson of Beaver Dams, NY; James (Mei) Nickerson of Olive Bridge, NY; and Jay (Trisa) Nickerson of Elba, NY; as well as 22 Grandchildren – Bryan, Shaughn, Siobhan, Wendy, George, Jimmy, Kelly, Gerald, Patricia, Randall, Julia, Emily, Elaine, Chelsea, Qing, Jordan, Kelly, Samantha, Daniel, Rachael, Rebeka and Sara; and 16 Great-Grandchildren and counting.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the D & R Depot on Sunday September 18th, 2022, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. All who knew her are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make memorials to the Jell-O Museum 23 E Main Street LeRoy, NY 14482, or the Woodward Memorial Library 7 Wolcott Street LeRoy, NY 14482.
My condolences go to family and friends. We, at Brockport Wegmans meat department will sadly miss seeing Nancy and her wonderful smile every week.
Marlene
Brockport meat dept.
Aww