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Peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Bluewater Health-CEE, Mary Rachel Nickels passed away at the age of 88. Beloved wife of Rae Nickels (1988). Loving mother of Gary (LuAnn) Nickels, Tom (Carol) Nickels, Kim Nickels, and Sue (Darren) Spanier. Beloved grandmother of Robert (Malisha), Jaclyn (Joey) Thorton, and Stephen. Cherished great grandmother of Baby Oliver. Dear sister-in-law of Mildred Maddock. Predeceased by her parents Rene and Zulma DeBlaere, by her siblings Gil (Wilda) DeBlaere and Simone (Jim) Pratt, and by her daughter-in-law Sandra. She will be missed by many nieces and nephews, and her special friends Merle, Elda (The Lewis Girls), Carol Koop, Judy McLaughlin, and many more friends and neighbors in Petrolia and Wyoming area. Mary was raised on a small farm on Brigden Sideroad where the family grew vegetables to sell at the Farmers Market in Sarnia. After marrying Rae, she raised her family on Mandaumin Road. Years later on her own, she purchased her little yellow home in Petrolia where she filled her yard with flower gardens. She loved to show off her gardens to her friends and neighbors. Mary also had a long career as a cleaning lady and worked into her late 70’s and developed many friendships with clients who became her extended family. For the last year and a half, Mary lived at the Lambtonian Apartments in Petrolia where she met many wonderful people and developed many friendships. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her. A special thank you to Dr. John Butler and the staff at Bluewater Health Continuing Care in Petrolia for the care they provided Mary. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. with family and friends being received from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to MS Canada (cheques only at the funeral home please).