Elizabeth Nichols Was Devoted to Community

Elizabeth (Bibi) Nichols died peacefully in Rockland, Me., on March 9 at the age of 85 surrounded by her family. Bibi was a summer Island visitor since the 1940s and a permanent resident of Vineyard Haven since 1975.

Born on Oct. 25, 1918 in Waltham, she was the daughter of Russell and Lelia Branch. Bibi spent her growing-up years on both the east and west coasts. Her parents eventually settled in Manhasset, N.Y. She was graduated from Skidmore College during World War II and soon after married Clayton (Nick) W. Nichols Jr., who was serving in the Navy at that time. After the war they settled in Huntington, Long Island, N.Y., where Bibi devoted her time to her husband, children and community.

She and Nick retired to Martha's Vineyard where she golfed and played tennis at Farm Neck for many years. She also had many exciting adventures on a succession of family boats named Windigo. Bibi grew up cruising the waters of Long Island and during her married life sailed anywhere from the coastal waters of Maine to the islands of the Caribbean.

While on the Vineyard she spent many hours helping at the Vineyard Haven Public Library, at Martha's Vineyard Hospital and at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.

Her four children, Patricia Nichols of East Greenville, Pa., Rusty Nichols of Annapolis, Md., Christopher Nichols of Yarmouth, Me., and Deborah Warren of Camden, Me., survive her. Also surviving her are 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her sister is Kathryn Powell of Port Townsend, Wash., and her surviving brother is George Branch of North Carolina.

A memorial service will be held at The First Congregational Church in West Tisbury at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 3. Contributions in her memory may be made to the church at P.O. Box 3000, West Tisbury, MA 02575, to the Vineyard Haven Public Library at RFD 139A, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or to the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Association at 36 Cameron avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140.