Thelma Anderson Nicholson of Poulsbo died on July 4, 2009 after a brief illness. She was 91.

She was born July 1, 1918, in Seattle, the first-born of four into the home of August “Gus” and Jorgina Guldjord Anderson. When Nicholson was just six months old, her family moved to Poulsbo where she lived for her entire life. She attended Poulsbo schools long before the streets were paved and current school buildings existed, establishing friendships in childhood that would last a lifetime.

In August 1941, she married Marvin Nicholson, a native of Mason, Wis., who had moved to the Puget Sound to work in the Bremerton shipyard just prior to the start of World War II. They enjoyed 50 years of marriage and family life before Marvin’s passing in October 1991.

Nicholson was an extraordinary hostess to family and friends, and was well-known for opening her home for memorable meals, always ending with delicious desserts. Family evenings were often spent singing and playing music; Nicholson on the banjo and her husband on guitar, violin, or harmonica. Her gardens often provided flower arrangements for the altar at her church and brought beauty to a neighbor’s table.

Thelma was a committed Christian, serving in countless roles at her lifetime church, Christ Memorial in Poulsbo.

She is survived by her son, Rod (Bobbie) Nicholson; and daughters, Jacque (Jerry) Johnson and Debbi (David) Wheelon; four grandchildren: Michelle (Matthew) Jensen, Renee English Thomason, Barry Nicholson, Brian (KC) English; three “adopted” grandchildren, Carlee, Katee and Tasha; six great-grandchildren, Austin and Jonah Thomason, Olive and Lola English, and Sam and Zak Jensen; and a sister, Jorgene (Duaine) Dailly.

In recent years, she was cared for by staff at Montclair Retirement Home, Poulsbo and Island Health & Rehabilitation, Bainbridge.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. on July 24 at at her home church, Christ Memorial, Hostmark & 8th Street, Poulsbo.