Obituary of Samia Nicholas

Samia Nicholas, 79, of Troy, died on Friday, January 8, 2021 from a broken heart, just ten days after the sudden passing of her son, Anthony J. “Tony” Nicholas and six days of her grandson Jeremy Joseph Nicholas.

Born in Alma-Zgharta, Lebanon, she was the daughter of Bechara and Marie Bechara and the beloved wife of Michael John Nicholas, who she, along with their children have deeply missed for over 40 years, when he passed unexpectedly. As the Matriarch of the Nicholas family, Samia raised their six sons and one daughter alone, with a son who was just two. She served not only as their mother, but also as their father and was so proud of all of them, their children and of all of their successes and accomplishments in their lives. She was so much more than a housewife and homemaker; she was a Situ to all! She also had assisted her husband and brother-in-law in the operation of Nicholas Distributors in Troy.

Affectionately known as “Mrs. Nicholas” and “Situ” by oh, so many, she welcomed her relatives, neighbors and children’s friends into her home as family and loved them all unconditionally. Mrs. Nicholas loved cooking, baking, feeding her families, friends, everyone, we mean everyone, sending food care packages to all! She loved attending and supporting all of her children and grandchildren at their school functions, social functions and their sporting events. She was their biggest cheerleader.

Samia loved watching her soap operas, Wheel of Fortune and Steve Harvey. Mrs. Nicholas loved to go to the Casino/Racino, crochet and knit. Most of all though, her family – her kids and her grandchildren were what she loved the most and lived life to the fullest for. As said earlier, she was truly proud of them all.

Samia was a 60 plus year member of St. Ann Maronite Catholic Church in Watervliet (formerly in Troy), a member of the Daughter’s of St. Ann and of the LaSalle Institute Mother’s Club.

Devoted mother of the late Anthony “Tony” (wife Linda) Nicholas, Nancy (Michael) Baker, Daniel (Jill) Nicholas, Michael (Josephine) Nicholas, Ronald Nicholas, Joseph (Nicole) Nicholas and David (Yola) Nicholas, cherished grandmother “Situ” of Kyla (Will) Rushford, Mikel John Nicholas, Samia Baker, Michael Patrick Baker, the late Madison Marie Baker, Maxwell Nicholas, Chelsea Nicholas, the late Jeremy Nicholas, Kristina Cirelli and Aaron Cirelli, Anthony “AJ” Nicholas, Andrew “Drew” Nicholas, Andrea Nicholas, Joey Nicholas and Gisella Nicholas, cherished great grandmother of, Bria, Kade, and Rose Rushford, Sister of Joud (Georgette) Bechara, Isabel Bechara (Manuel Gasper), the late Sessine Bechara, the late Antonious Hbaiter (late Cecilia), late Youssef Bechara (late Dalal), late Simone Bechara (late Leila), late Youssfiyee Bechara, late Margo Bou Haider (late Naeem) and the late Claudette Copti who survived by her husband Habib, sister-in-law of the late Joseph (Connie) Nicholas, loving niece of Lamia Barbera and Leila Nicholas, also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, their families and friends of her children who she considered all as her family as well.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., 565 Fourth Avenue (at the corner of 115^th Street in Lansingburgh), Troy, NY 12182 where she and her son Tony will be waked together on Sunday, January 17, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Due to current restrictions, there is limited space of 40 to 45 in Church for Samia’s Funeral Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 18, 2021 at St. Ann Maronite Church, 1919 Third Avenue, Watervliet, New York 12189 and will be available for those not able to join the family in Church at Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84325981186?pwd=ZW1IN2F1MzNNeTNaL1JtWGJCNDhGdz09

Meeting ID: 843 2598 1186
Passcode: 0565
 

Following the Mass, interment will be held at approximately 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Troy and will also be available by joining the Committal Service Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83393159633?pwd=ZE1VWXpHSGJkbFAzbEdza2lLb3p4Zz09

Meeting ID: 833 9315 9633
Passcode: 0565

Anyone who will be attending the Calling Hours, Funeral Mass or Interment in-person is required to adhere to current guidelines and wear a facial covering (mask), observe social distancing of six feet and understand that there are capacity limitations in the funeral home and in the Church. Even though the interment is held outdoors, the same must be observed.       

The Nicholas family wishes to express their most sincere gratitude to Dr. R. Scott Morris, Dr. David A. Strumpf, Dr. Richard H Alfred, Cindy Woellmer from The Eddy Visiting Nurses and Rehabilitation Services, Landmark Health and Northeast Nephrology for all of their wonderful care and compassion provided to their mother and their family during the time which they provided their care.

Memorial contributions are preferred to Samia's parish, St. Ann Maronite Catholic Church, 1919 Third Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 (stjude.org), in memory of Samia Nicholas.

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