Estelle Marie (Nikki) Carey went to be with the Lord on April 4, 2020 at Seasons Hospice, Rochester, MN. Her daughter and granddaughter were by her side. Nikki was born February 22, 1913 to Adele and Angelo Nicoletti. She was a graduate of Grand Rapids South High School. She received a diploma from the Leilay Post Montgomery School of Nursing serving as her Class President in 1937. She began her nursing career at Ferguson’s Hospital with zeal. When she left Ferguson’s one of the other nurses commented to her, “When you left, it’s as if all of the lights went out.” She moved to Davenport, Iowa to work in a private practice. She spent many years as a surgical scrub nurse at Mercy Hospital. She married Joseph Carey and raised three children, William, Diana and Nicolette. As a school nurse, she was loved by elementary students who called her “Nikki Nurse.” She spent summers as a camp nurse at Camp Conestoga, administering to many girl scouts. Nikki moved to Rochester, MN in 2000 to live with her daughter. Nikki enjoyed crafting. An avid knitter, she knit hundreds of baby hats for newborns at Mayo Clinic. She attended her grandchildren’s concerts and dance recitals with zest. Nikki was affectionate, full of joy, a sun lover, and a Chicago Cub’s fan. She found humor in everything. When you received a “Nikki hug,” you knew you’d been hugged. She is survived by William Carey (Tamara), Diana Carey (Charles Huskins), Nicolette Re and grandchildren, Estelle (Huskins), Maria and Emily Carey. She was preceded in death by her parents and all eight of her brothers and sisters: Albert, Josephine, Rosemary (Cook), Hilda (Ward), David, Elizabeth (Brann), Ted, and Ginny (Ragainis). A celebration of life will be at a later date in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Seasons Hospice, 1696 Greenview Dr. SW, Rochester, MN 55902.
5 Responses
She was a lifelong friend. We loved her dearly and cherish so many wonderful times over the years. We were “family “
Yes you were family Jo…my second mom. For some reason what is popping up for me is you and my mom sewing sequence on our suits for synchronized swimming. I’m remembering some sort of deer and a sun? it was in the early days…a light blue suit. Anyway, my mom left a pin in my suit. She found it after I swam and let out a big belly laugh for almost stabbing her daughter.
Sending you all love and holding you in prayer. Nikki was an inspiring woman!
Carol Shaffer, Seasons Hospice Chaplain
Mrs Carey was so nice to us as teenage friends of Susie and Diane. She loved us and we adored her. Later she was my kids’s school nurse at Eisenhower. We all loved her. What a great lady and a great life. R I P beautiful Mrs Carey.
My belated condolences to the Carey family. Nikki is forever a part of my childhood memories. Many years have gone by since I last saw Nikki. The photo of her as a younger nurse is just as I remember her. At a young age I thought of her as extremely kind, devout and best friend to my Aunt Ginny. She was supportive of our family following the passing of our mother and aunts. Again my condolences and I pray God bless you all.