Gertrude Anne Mcnichols

Gertrude Anne (Gist) McNichols, 78, formerly of Homewood, Illinois, died peacefully Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Meadows Mennonite Nursing Home from complications related to Alzheimer?s Disease. Gert was born and raised in Chicago to parents Jesse and Helen (Jurcak) Gist (both deceased) and graduated from Visitation High School. Upon graduation, she was awarded a scholarship from the Art Institute which she was unable to accept. Married in 1952 to William McNichols (deceased,) she divorced in 1965 and raised 6 children entirely on her own: Kathy (John) Ostrowski of Topeka, KS, Bill (Lois) McNichols of Phoenix, AZ, John McNichols of San Diego, CA, Robert McNichols of Miami, FL, Mary (Tom) Marchal of Metamora, IL and Maureen McKay of Orland Park, IL. Gert was a gifted artist and musician who never missed an opportunity to play the piano or share her beautiful voice at family events or with the St. Joseph?s choir, with whom she sang for 15 years. An enthusiast of classical, jazz and choral music, she was a natural harmonist, so much so that it took awhile for her high school choir director to realize she wasn?t actually reading the music. While never quite mastering formal instructions, Gert enjoyed playing the old piano standards ?by ear?. She loved nature and walked daily around her neighborhood, often taking pictures or coming home to paint lavish watercolors of the flowers she so enjoyed. She loved to draw and created charcoal portraits that her children treasure. Always a hard worker, Gert celebrated 27 years as a technical editor with CNA Insurance. She was a master wordsmith whom all her co-workers would look to for the perfect way to phrase a document. Her children would also benefit from her expansive vocabulary and exemplary work ethic. Gert was a loving and proud grandmother to 17 grandchildren: through Kathleen?Daniel (Susie), Jeffrey ( Cynthia), Mark, Timothy (Laura) and Kristen Ostrowski; William-- Thomas, Maureen, Colin, and Andrew McNichols; John-- Michael McNichols and Jeanine (Brandon) Mosher; Mary -- Beth (Seamas) McGettrick, and Steve, Kathy, and Natalie Marchal; and through Maureen-- Michael and Dana McKay; as well as 5 great-grandchildren. Gert is also survived by her brother John Gist and sisters Mary Helen Ryland, Valeria Satala and Johanna McInerney. She is preceded in death by brothers Joseph Gist and Frank Gist. Throughout her life, Gert experienced more than her share of challenges and hardships that forged not only her indomitable spirit, but a lifelong empathy for the poor and those treated unjustly. An unselfish mother, sister, co-worker and friend, Gert was a living example of the Catholic Church to which she devoted her life and her talents. A Funeral mass will be at 11:00am Sat. Jan. 7, 2012 at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Metamora, IL. with Father Don Roszkowski officiating. Visitation will be from 9am until 10:45am at the church. Cremation rights will be accorded after mass with burial of ashes at St. Mary?s Cemetery in Metamora at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the wonderful people of Meadows Mennonite Home who provided exceptional care to Gert in her final days. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com