Mary Ellen Nichols

Mary Ellen Nichols (Hadden) , age 85, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2021.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years James Nichols Sr.,

Daughter Linda Haring (Albert), son James Nichols Jr. (Becky), and daughter Lisa Tenuta (Ralph),

Grandmother of Kevin and Marisa Nichols; Katharine, James, and Julie Haring; Ralph (Tori) and Nicholas Tenuta.

Preceded in death by her parents Dean J. and Edna (Berg) Hadden, her brothers Dean Jr. and James; and her sister Pearl.

Mary Ellen was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 3, 1936.  She graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in Wisconsin and completed her nurses training from Luther Hospital School of Nursing in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  Mary Ellen and Jim were married on February 28, 1959 and moved to Chicago eventually moving to West Chicago in 1962.  Mary Ellen was active in the Girl Scouts of West Chicago eventually becoming the director of the Girl Scouts and worked for West Chicago Elementary School District 33 in the library at Lincoln School before returning to nursing.  She retired from nursing in 1995 and volunteered at Currier Elementary School. Known as the “Ladybug Lady” she worked with children teaching about ladybugs, teaching knitting, and helping kids improve their reading skills.

Mary Ellen traveled extensively visiting all 50 states and 5 continents with her husband and her close friend, Rose Bau.

Memorials can be sent in her memory to the West Chicago Public Library.

Burial will be June 29, 2021, Services will be private.

Burial