Patricia Jane Nicholson

Pat Nicholson, loving wife, mother and grandmother went peacefully at home to be by her Lord's side on Monday, September 28th. She was born on October 25, 1937 in Glenwood, MN to Martin and Mayme (Bísek) Holden. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with a BS in Education. Pat was a natural athlete and an accomplished ice skater. While in college she was asked to join the Ice Follies, however, she chose instead, a life of education and service. While in Minnesota, she met and married the love of her life, Joe Nicholson. They enjoyed 61 blessed years of marriage.Pat's long career of service through teaching began at Aitkin High School in Minnesota. In 1960, she moved to OKC and worked at Buchanan Elementary, Central, Classen and Northwest Classen high schools. She also served as a Title IV (Human Relations) Advisory Specialist for OKC Secondary Schools as well as an Activity Director's Consultant for OKCPS and Assistant to the Director of OKCPS. Pat was active in the OK Governor's and OEA President's Council of Physical Fitness. While at St. Eugene Catholic Church she was a volunteer Ministry Coordinator, lector, OKC Serra Club member, and teacher. Most recently a member of Christ the King Parish, she volunteered as a leader of a bible study group and provided support for Knights of Columbus fundraising.Pat was truly gifted with creativity and was talented in freehand drawing, sewing and arts & crafts. She loved gardening, cooking, entertaining and solving crossword puzzles. She had a passion for traveling and especially enjoyed her overseas adventures with her favorite locales being Prague, Budapest, Capri, and Rome, where she met the Pope.In addition to her husband Joe, Pat is survived by her three children - Jeffrey (wife Colette) from CO, Jennifer Nicholson Steuber (husband Jason) from KS and Joel (wife Tobi) from FL - and six grandchildren whom she adored: Jordan, Joshua, Jacob, Jessica, Jett and Jake. She also is survived by Brother-in-Law, James Nicholson (wife Susan), and Sisters-In-Law Jane Nicholson Worsley, and Judy Nicholson as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Hartford Holden, sisters Elizabeth Pond and Lois McLain.As part of Pat's journey with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, she participated in a Phase 1 Trial for a new drug to receive FDA approval. When Pat transitioned into home hospice she was the first patient to participate in a Clinical Study sponsored by OU Health, Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) and Integris Hospice. Her desire was to help others who would follow her path and could benefit from her participation. Service celebrating Pat's life:Saturday, 10/31/20 – 10am- Christ the King Church, OKC Service live stream at: https://www.ckokc.org/live-streamingIn lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate blood or contribute to OBI or to your local, non-profit blood bank.The family acknowledges and thanks Pat's medical teams at Stephenson Cancer/OU Medical Ctr., OBI, Abiding Home Health, Integris Hospice and especially the angels at O'Donoghue Infusion Clinic (Nikki, Maria, Natalie, Whitney).