Vickie Nolan

Vickie Ann Nolan, age 69 of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, sister, Apple Festival supporter, Christmas decorator, and caregiver died peacefully at 11:34 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2021 with her family gathered around her bed at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a courageously strong battle against coronavirus.

She was born on October 12, 1951 in Niles to James D. and Gertrude M. (Clarke) Wallace, and was graduated from Brandywine High School.  As a young woman she was employed in a retail department store, and later was employed by the Brandywine Community Schools working as a secretary in the administrative offices.  She has lived in Niles all of her life.

Vickie was an active year-round volunteer with the Four Flags Area Apple Festival.  She enjoyed decorating her home – inside and out - for Christmas, and hosting Christmas parties at home.  She also enjoyed astronomy, watching the stars and planets from her dark backyard, and visiting planetariums.  She would also travel with her husband to attend NASCAR races, gradually learning to enjoy the sport, and would even sit with Mark to watch the races on television.

She was quietly devoted to caring for ill family members, often through long illnesses, especially when the prognosis was poor, providing a very personal level of encouragement and comfort.  This effort was pleasantly supported by her strong will: always optimistic, and never giving-up.

On October 27, 1972 in Niles she married Mark Alan Nolan with whom she celebrated last year the forty-eighth anniversary of their wedding.  Several weeks ago, Mark fell ill with the coronavirus, and Vickie provided his care at home until his death on April 10, 2021.  When Mark died, Vickie was so weak that her stretcher to the ambulance left the house at the same time as his stretcher left the house to the hearse, neither to return.

They were sadly preceded in death by a daughter, Tracee Ann Bartley on February 25, 2014.  Vickie was also preceded in death by her parents, Don Wallace on October 15, 2010 and Gertrude Wallace on January 31, 2016; and by Vickie’s brother, William Wallace on July 13, 2000.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Stacie Nolan of South Bend; granddaughter Loryn Bartley; and Vickie’s sister, Kathleen (& Noah “Tim”) Johnson of Niles and several nieces and nephews.

A remembrance to celebrate the lives and share memories of Mark and Vickie will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 from Noon until 4:00 p.m. at the Four Flags Area Apple Festival building at Seventeenth and Lake Streets in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Vickie may be made to the Four Flags Area Apple Festival, 1740 Lake Street, Niles, Michigan  49120, https://fourflagsapplefestival.org/ .   Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Vickie clearly enjoyed encouraging people, at work for the schools, behind the scenes at the Apple Festival, and hosting Christmas parties.  But she had a special love for her family, at patient bedsides, next-to her husband at races, and especially loving her daughters and granddaughter.