Bertha E. “Bert” Nickel – 84 – of 15 Meadowbrook, Arkport, NY died Thursday morning (November 8, 2018) at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville following a brief illness.

Born in Wetmore Township, PA on April 28, 1934, she was the daughter of W. Ervin & Fern (Boyd) McKee.

Bert grew up in East Kane, PA and was a graduate of East Kane High School (class of 1952).

While living in East Kane, she met Robert R. “Bob” Nickel whom she married on October 8, 1955.  Shortly after they were married, Bert & Bob moved to Niagara Falls, NY where they resided for about 5 years.  In 1960, they moved to Jamestown, NY where they lived before moving to Allegany, NY in 1971.  From 1972 – 1979 they resided in Fairmont, WV where Bert was employed as a cook at a Mormon Nursing Facility.  Bert had resided in Arkport since 1979. She and her husband, Bob, operated an appliance repair service called B & B Appliance after Bob retired. Bert was in charge of everything except the actual appliance repair.

For many years, Bert operated a baby-sitting service out of her home, helping to raise many neighborhood and area children. She volunteered her time at the Arkport Presbyterian Church serving as a baby sitter during Sunday church services and for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). She also volunteered as an unofficial member of the Arkport Fire Department. Any time the fire whistle blew during daytime hours, her phone would ring and Bert would jump in her car and go down to care for and watch over the fire fighters’ children and grandchildren.

Bert was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading and had a deep affection for all animals, especially her pet dog & cats. She loved working at anything — gardening, feeding and housing the wild birds, chipmunks, rabbits, and squirrels that frequented her yard.

Affectionately known as “GG” by most children, Bert had a deep love of her family as well as her many friends and neighbors.  She will be sadly missed by all those whose lives she touched!

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert R. “Bob” Nickel who died January 13, 2001; her granddaughter, Cheyanna Nickel who died February 20, 2017; a great-grandson, Anthony Jason Bogging, JR; her brother, Samuel McKee; her sister, Florence LaJean Stanley.

Surviving are a son, Robert “Rob” (Mary) Nickel of Ft. Walton Beach, FL;  three daughters, Denise (Jim) Kemp of Covington, GA, Melinda “Mindy” (David) Gates of Arkport and Michele (Terry Muchler) Nickel of Hornell; 12 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews, and an “adopted” grandson.

The family of Bertha E. “Bert” Nickel will receive friends on Monday from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY where funeral & committal services will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 5:00 PM with Rev. Bruce Incze officiating.  Burial will be in Heritage Hill Cemetery, Arkport, NY.

Bert’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 13067, Alexandria, VA   22312.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.