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Shannon Louise Nickisch (nee Wood)

September 12, 1944 ~ February 21, 2015


Shannon Louise Nickisch (nee Wood) passed away suddenly in Sirdar with her husband and daughter by her side on February 21, 2015.


Born in Creston on September 12, 1944 Shannon was the eldest daughter to William Moline and Carmela Wood. Growing up in Tye and then later in Sirdar, she along with her four siblings attended Sirdar School until Grade 6. Thereafter, she attended Prince Charles Secondary School, until her Grade 12 graduation in 1962.

She was known for her shorthand and typing, which held her in great stead, as she moved to Creston and worked as a secretary for PCSS. Not many months later, during a Christmas visit home she met and fell in love with her future husband. After her marriage on December 28, 1963 to Christoph Nickisch in a double wedding ceremony along with sister Judith marrying Chris’ eldest brother Alf, Shannon returned to Sirdar to live and raise her family.

The next year, the arrival of a daughter and then four years later a son, completed her family unit. On July 1, 1965, Shannon became the proprietress of Sirdar General Store, where she worked right up until her passing. Being a wife, mother, homemaker and self-employed kept Shannon very busy, but she managed to volunteer for many causes, the annual Cancer Daffodil campaign, teaching Catechism at the Holy Cross Church, member of the Creston Valley Hospital Board (before the inception of the Interior Health Region) and various other committees’ and community initiatives too numerous to list, all with the intent to better the lives of the residences of this Valley.


She enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading and was the local historian for all things related to Sirdar and its heritage. In 1977, she became Postmaster for the Sirdar Post Office and this part of her career was always of utmost importance to her.

Education and schooling were also meaningful causes that she supported with great passion. In the fall of 1982, she was elected as a then School District #86 School Trustee. For the next 17 years she traveled considerably throughout the Creston Valley and environs to preserve every child’s right to a well-rounded education in what was increasingly challenging times where school closures and district amalgamations caused strife for many in the public education sector.


Shannon’s board position of secretary for Wynndel Community Centre was likely a record for longevity for volunteer positions held. She served in this capacity for almost four decades, and the Annual Wynndel Christmas Craft Fair and preparing regular community newsletters being favourite projects that she handled with aplomb.

In her early years, Shannon delighted in the charms of the great outdoors, whether it was fishing, hiking or camping often criss-crossing western parts of Canada initially via tenting trips with her family. In her later “pre-retirement” years, she enjoyed RV trips, roughing it in the 5th wheel, most recently driving across Canada and then later visiting Waterton Lakes National Park as fondly remembered adventures.


Travelling to Hawaii, in celebration of her silver wedding anniversary in 1988 as well as several trips to Europe, most recently in 2006, where she particularly enjoyed Ireland were also favorite destinations. She was a long-time member of the Catholic Women’s League and Royal Canadian Legion in Creston; bowling, square dancing and swimming were preferred activities that she enjoyed for many years when she was physically able to participate.


One of her all-time favourite pastimes was visiting with friends and relatives. Shannon welcomed strangers and friends alike, often getting their signatures in her store guest book to preserve the honour of one’s visit. A Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient, in a November 2012 ceremony held in Nelson, local MLA Michelle Mungall venerated Shannon with this medal to commemorate her much admired community dedication and socially motivated spirit.


Her father William Moline (Pat) Wood, sister Judith Ann Nickisch and most recently her mother Carmela (Cam) Wood, predeceased her.

Shannon will be dearly missed by her husband Chris; daughter Lynnae Nickisch (Derick Todd) of Sirdar; son Shawn (Pat) Nickisch and granddaughter, Cali, of Brisco; siblings William Santo Wood, Sirdar, Susan (Mike) Harris of Nakusp, and Carmen (Ben) Conn of Wynndel; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.


Visitation and a gathering of family and friends will be held Sunday, March 8, 2015, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at G. F. Oliver Funeral Chapel, 225 15 Ave. N. Creston, BC. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Creston, BC on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., with Father Tom Kakkaniyil Celebrant.

Interment to follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson.


Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC, 208 – 1212 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Y2.