Obituary of Joyce E Nichols

Joyce E. (Probst) Nichols, former owner of Tanorama in Burlington, passed away at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center on Tuesday evening, March 13, 2018. The beloved wife of the late Richard Dame Nichols, she was 74 years old. Joyce was born, raised and educated in Nebraska. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Hattie Probst. When she was 17 years old she met her future husband Richard who was serving his country in the United States Air Force and stationed in Nebraska. Richard brought Joyce home with him to Massachusetts and they were married in February of 1962. They moved to Burlington in 1972. After her daughter Terri graduated from high school Joyce decided to go back to work. She got a job at Tanorama which she loved. She worked there for a number of years and eventually Joyce purchased the business. She owned it for 26 years. With her outgoing personality Joyce was a natural at running her own business. She was very knowledgeable in her business and was a smart business woman. Joyce always bent over backwards for her customers. She never forgot a name and was always eager to hear about what was going on in their lives. If someone was running late, she would keep the salon open for them. Joyce made friends everywhere she went. Once you met Joyce she was hard to forget. She was a caring, thoughtful and loving woman. Many people were known to say that “Joyce was like a mother to them”. Joyce was totally devoted to her husband Richard who was the love of her life. After his death she missed him terribly. She was a hands-on mom and very involved in all her children’s lives. She was blessed to have her grandson Frank live in Burlington and she was able to see him on a regular basis. Nothing made her happier when her granddaughter Ana moved from Germany to Billerica with her Dad Rick. Joyce led a full and active life. She enjoyed an occasional trip to Twin Rivers. In recent years she had moved to Birchcrest which was a move that was perfect for Joyce. She enjoyed the social aspect of living in the apartments and participated in many of their activities such as bingo. With her friendly personality it wasn’t hard for Joyce to make a new circle of friends at Birchcrest. Joyce was the beloved wife of the late Richard Dame Nichols. She was the loving mother of Rick Nichols of Billerica, Michael Nichols of North Andover and Terri Noble & her husband Brendan Loftus of Merritt Island, FL. Joyce was the proud grandmother of Frank Noble, IV of Burlington and Ana Kim Nichols of Billerica. Sister of Sharon Hakenson of NC, Donna Harris of NE, Bonnie VanLaningham of NE and the late Larry, Bill, Doug and Chuck Probst. A Memorial Wake will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Saturday, March 17 from 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend.