Patricia Nickola

Mrs. Patricia L. Nickola, age 80, Division Street, Salamanca, New York died late Sunday evening, July 11, 2010 at Olean General Hospital following a short illness.

Born on July 20, 1929, in Salamanca, New York, she was the daughter of the late Howard & Margaret Reusch Ahrens. She was married on August 12, 1961 to Mr. Francis “Frank” Nickola who predeceased her on September 19, 2009.

Mrs. Nickola was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, the Salamanca Chapter of the AARP #844 where she served on the Board of Directors, was Chairman of the Travel Committee for 5 years, served on the Travel Committee for 3 years, and served on the Community Service Committee. In June 2002 she received a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding service to the Chapter and in June 2005 she received the Volunteer of the Year Award. She was a member of the National AARP, Salamanca Senior Citizens, Past President and Past Vice President of the Salamanca Bowling Association, she served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Salamanca Women’s Bowling Association from 1980-85. She was inducted into the Salamanca Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2001. She was an avid bowler for over 50 years where she bowled in local, state and national bowling tournaments. She was a member of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #535 and was a social member of the Holy Cross Athletic Club. She enjoyed card playing, traveling and taking pictures of the places she visited. She leaves behind many good friends and neighbors.

Surviving are: twin daughters, Christine (Michael) Hannon, Flower Mound, Texas, Kathleen (Joseph) Stevens, North 15th Street, Olean, New York; one granddaughter, Jillian Nicole Stevens, Olean, New York; a brother, Howard (Jane) Ahrens, Haines City, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Peggy Ahrens, Bradenton, Fla.; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a brother, Robert J. Ahrens.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Wednesday evening from 5-8 P.M.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday morning at 10 A.M. with Rev. Patrick Melfi, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, as celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Our Lady of Peace Church Memorial Fund or the Salamanca Senior Center.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com.