Jacqueline Shirley' Nichols December 18, 1927 - September 30, 2018 San Diego Shirley was the best mother and friend you could ever ask for. She was extremely loving and giving. As her only child, I felt truly blessed to have her as my mother. Shirley always put others thoughts and feelings before her own. She was selfless.

She was born Jacqueline Shirley Nichols in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to parents Edith and Albert Antonoce. She was and always remained fiercely independent. She always cared for others, but preferred to "not be a burden" and wanted to take care of herself as an independent person.

She met Jack Walter Nichols while he was stationed in Massachusetts in the United States Navy. Shirley was walking home one evening from work when three Marines were making advances towards her. Jack walked up, took the one Marines arm off Shirley's shoulder and replaced it with his, stating, "Don't touch my wife!" They married one year later on November 24, 1947. They remained married for 58 years until Jack passed October 20, 2005.

Jack then was stationed in Virginia where Shirley gave birth to there only child, Stephen. Three years later Jack was then stationed in San Diego where they remained throughout their lives.

Once relocating to San Diego, Shirley initially worked as a telephone operator for many years. She eventually found her true calling and worked in the healthcare industry as the lead receptionist in a dental office for 21 years before retiring to care for her mother who had developed dementia. Retirement for her was simply making a choice of "doing a different job."

She always spoke softly and kindly of others. Her special personality, honesty, compassion, love for others, especially animals, caused all who new her to love her.

Fortunately for her she was sound of mind till her last breath. She had a memory better than most twenty year olds, and was proud of it, not boasting, just feeling blessed and very lucky.

She is survived by her son, Stephen, and his wife, Debi.