Harriett May Smither Nicholson, 81, of Vero Beach, passed away on Sept. 8, 2016, at Indian River Medical Center following a brief and unexpected illness.
She is survived by her husband Jerry Kimball Nicholson; son George Smither Nicholson of Fort Lauderdale; daughter-in-law by elder son, Jennifer M. Nicholson of Metairie, La.; granddaughter Kimball E. Nicholson of Metairie, La.; and grandson Thaddeus K. Nicholson of Metairie, La.
She was preceded in death by her elder son Leonard K. Nicholson and brother James W. Smither, III.
Nicholson was born in New Orleans, La., to the late James W. Smither Jr., and Elizabeth Hennegan Smither. She married her longtime love, Jerry Kimball Nicholson, on Dec. 14, 1956.
She was a member of a well- nown New Orleans family, her father and grandfather had been in the life and general insurance business in New Orleans for many years. Prior to her debut in New Orleans she was Queen of Apollo and after her debut was Queen of Carnival (Rex) in 1955. She was presented at Rex as the 50-year Queen in 2005.
She graduated from Louise S. McGehee School, then attended Randolph Macon Women’s College for two years. She received a BA degree in 1956 with a major in mathematics and a minor in economics from Newcomb College at
Tulane University where she was member of Phi Beta Phi sorority.
A beloved wife and mother, Nicholson was a gourmet chef and wine connoisseur. She trained at Peter Krump Cooking School (New York City), School for American Chefs (Napa Valley, Calif.) and Berry Bros Rudd (London, England).
She was of the Episcopalian faith, a member of the John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Vero Beach Yacht Club, The National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Florida, Indian River Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi, Order of St. Lazarus, Junior League of New Orleans and the Junior League of New Orleans Garden Club.
She was tirelessly involved in her community, performing volunteer work for more than 40 years in various social, civic and cultural organizations in New Orleans. She was on the boards of the New Orleans Opera Association, New Orleans Preservation Resource Center, Holmann Center and Louisiana Landmarks Society. She had been Secretary of the Upper Audubon Association for more than 10 years, the Woman’s Area Chairman for United Way, Division Chairman for the Crippled Children’s Hospital Expansion Drive and a member of the Salvation Auxiliary Women’s Committee.
In New Orleans she served as presidents of the Colonial Dames in the State of Louisiana, Le Petit Salon and Orleans Club.
Nicholson enjoyed sailing, golf, shotgun shooting, world travel and fishing.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, with a funeral service celebrating her life beginning at 6 p.m. at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. Interment will be at New Palestine Cemetery in Picayune, Miss.
Special thanks and appreciation are given to her caregivers from Nightingale Private Duty Nursing: Colette Brainbridge, Courtney Wright, Christine Lewis, Ruth Nelson, Shanta Scott, Nictalia Coleman and Susan Haberlack, RN, case manager. Also, to the staff of VNA Hospice, to her primary physician Dr. Richard A. Franco, cardiologist Dr. Nancy R. Cho and to her trainer, Kate Parra and the staff of the John’s Island Fitness Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.