JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
Martha Sullivan Nichols, 89, passed away Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at Community Hospice Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Florida.
She was a resident of Brookdale Southside (formerly Carriage Club of Jacksonville) in Jacksonville, Florida, since 2008. She was a former resident of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and Bay Village, Ohio.
She was born Martha Ann Vance in Steubenville, Ohio, on July 19, 1925, to the late Beatrice Ann (Barton) and Frederick Earl Vance.
She married Joseph Benjamin Sullivan on Sept. 3, 1949. He preceded her in death April 11, 1980.
Martha also was preceded in death by her second husband, Norton B. Nichols; and a sister, Mary Jane Nichols.
She is survived by her four children, David Sullivan (Marsha) of St. Marys, Georgia, Sara S. Ewen (Tom) of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Bart Sullivan (Lisa) of Bradenton, Florida, and Carol S. Miller (Sean) of Greenwood; a nephew, Lance Nichols of Yantis, Texas; and eight grandchildren, Ryan Merrill, Amanda Merrill, Ben Sullivan, Natalie Miller, Oliver Miller, Madeline Miller, Tiger Sullivan and Teddi Sullivan.
Martha attended Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, and received her degree from Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh. She was among the first women to receive degrees in engineering from the university.
Martha worked as an engineer at Westinghouse in Pittsburgh. In the 1980s, she owned and operated a trolley service in Hilton Head.
She was an avid sports fan. Among her favorite teams were the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians. Martha was an accomplished contract and duplicate bridge player, and she enjoyed cruise ship travel.
In honoring her wishes, no memorial service is planned. Her family will honor her at a later date at a private celebration of her life.
Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s charity of choice.
Arrangements are under the care of Integrity Cremations of Jacksonville, Florida.
