Virginia “Gini” Nickerson
July 27, 1955 – March 11, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Virginia “Gini” Nickerson on March 11, 2025, with family and friends by her side.
Gini is survived by her children Dan Jonassen of Dryden, ON, Scott (Oaklynn) Jonassen of Atikokan, ON, and Kayla (David) Keffer of Dryden, ON, and grandchildren Brody and Brynlee, Leland, Heidi, Kane, Paisley, Blythe and Aria, and Jessi and Mason. She is also survived by her siblings Shirley Burris (Phil Wallace) of Bridgewater, NS, Thomas Nickerson of Lower Sackville, NS, David Nickerson of Liverpool, NS, and nephews Mike Muise, Joe (Bonnie) Muise, Ivan (Jennifer) Nickerson, Mitchell Nickerson, along with many extended relatives.
Gini is predeceased by her parents Arthur and Barbara Nickerson, and sister-in-law Evelyn Nickerson.
Gini was a “down home” girl. She was born in Liverpool, NS but grew up not far from there in a tiny village called Brooklyn, Queens County. She often told stories of her childhood and all the antics she and her siblings would get into. She worked at the Liverpool Advance newspaper office, and loved her job.
When she was in her twenties, she left home and went as far west as she could. She ended up in Prince Rupert, BC where she worked as a printer for the newspaper. It was there she had her children Dan, Scott and Kayla. Three years later they picked up and moved to Dryden to be closer to family. There she started her career as a realtor. After some time, Gini decided it was time to go back to Nova Scotia, so, she and the kids packed up to go stay with Grammy. This is where her heart was happiest.
Gini had an opportunity in Red Lake, ON and she took it! She worked with MNR Fire for many years. Her fondest memories were out in the camps with the crews. After that, she worked at the Red Lake Hospital as an executive assistant, where she coded her own program. She was so very proud of that! She also started her own business called CompuQuick, which was a printing service in her home office. She was a brilliant woman! When she wanted something she went after it with passion! She started her own Health and Safety business which brought her to Australia and England and Wales, which fed into her love for travel.
Eventually grandkids started coming and she wanted to be close so as to watch them grow up. She settled back in Dryden and opened Square One Printwear, which was a silk screening and embroidery business. She had no experience with embroidery but was determined to learn and had a very successful business. Eventually her health started to become an issue, and she couldn’t do the long hours nor hard labour anymore, so she approached Mallon’s Promotional Wear in Thunder Bay and convinced them it was a good idea to open a satellite office in Dryden, which she ran for 10 years. In October, her health declined, and she was in the hospital – but she did not stop working. She loved her job so much she tried to keep up. Eventually it was overwhelming, and her health needed to be forefront. Gini was a fighter. Every time life knocked her down, she got back up swinging! Even the staff at the hospital couldn’t believe it. She was a tiny warrior.
She taught us all that if you wanted something badly enough, you had to go after it and not stop until you get it. Hard work was so important to her as you don’t get anything for free. She also told us that we need to rest when life gets tough. Her calm and restful space was when she was crafting. She loved to paint pour on everything! Gini and Kayla would always go to the craft stores when they were on medical trips and come home with a car load. They would talk about all the things they could create, and plan for the next craft market. She bought a house just for the large, heated garage, so that she could turn it into her craft oasis.
Last summer she was able to take her good friend Linda to Nova Scotia for two weeks and spend quality time with her siblings and nephews. As weak as she was, she was able to go places and truly enjoy the sights one last time.
In her last week she was able to have her beloved cat, Goldie Hawn, with her. Goldie was by her side until the end. That cat was everything to her. Goldie brought her great company and a reason to keep going.
Gini’s family would like to thank Dr. Joseph del Paggio from TBRHSC for his dedication and compassion through her journey as well as the staff at the DRHC for their care and support of not only Gini but her family as well. A very special thanks to good friends Judy, Linda, Mary and Amanda for being there for Gini constantly! The time you spent and the care you showed her was really special. She was so thankful and proud to have surrounded herself with such awesome people. I’m sure she is still so proud as you continue to support her family now.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 1 p.m. at The Centre with Pastor Velma Henderson officiating. For those unable to attend, a live stream will be available at https://fweb.tv/179542
As per Gini’s wishes, her family will bring her back home to Liverpool, NS to be interred with her parents and grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Kenora Cat Shelter, 725 Railway Street, Kenora, ON P9N 1A4.