Corinne "Connie" Paradise Nicholson Duke Obituary (1934 - 2021)

Born February 12, 1934 in Van Buren, Maine; died June 12, 2021 in Seattle. Survived by her children, Doug Nicholson (Karen), Gail Nicholson and Randy Nicholson (Jessi); daughter-in-law Lugene, grandchildren Kia, Ryan, Andrew, Brittany, Elena, and John; and great-grandchildren, Mari and Lukas, brothers Norman, Nelson (Claire), sister Arlene, and brother-in-law Daniel Banks. Preceded in death by her first husband, John Nicholson; second husband, HH (Dick) Duke; her son, Craig Nicholson; sister Maxine Banks, sister-in-law Verna Paradis, and brother-in-law Willard Gervais. Mom was raised on a farm near Van Buren, Maine. She loved ice skating and riding in one-horse sleighs. She spoke fluent French and even learned Latin. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1950 and the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1954. Mom was a lifelong nurse, beginning her career in Boston where she developed her passion for baseball and the Red Sox, before moving to Seattle to raise her family. She spent nearly 45 years between Swedish and Northwest Hospitals before retiring in 1999. In her retirement, she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also indulged her love of opera and theater, volunteering her time with the opera guilds and Seattle Musical Theater. Her volunteer work at St. Bridget became a defining element in her life. Mom was best known for her sense of integrity manifested in her raising four children as a single mother while furthering her career at Swedish, always showing a kind, compassionate, friendly demeanor. In lieu of flowers, Connie would have loved a donation to St Vincent de Paul or the Union Gospel Mission. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, July 17th, at 11 AM at St. Bridget Catholic Church