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Margaret Nicolson (Nikki) Holwell was born in Toronto on May 14 1953, beloved daughter of Margaret Eleanor Turnbull (nee Southee) Holwell and Harry Nicolson Holwell, and shared a loving friendship with step-mother Katie Andrews (nee Corson ) Holwell. Nikki passed away peacefully on Tuesday December 10, 2024, with dear friends by her side in Palliative Care, Kingston General Hospital.
Nikki had struggled her entire life valiantly facing and overcoming illnesses with courage, high energy and an uproarious sense of humour.
Nikki arrived at Bishop Strachan School Junior School Grade 6 in 1965 and from that point on made life-long friends of students and teachers. Graduating with the Class of ‘72 Nikki leaves behind a popular legacy of immense curiosity, a life lived with purpose, meaning, and good will – Nikki ‘Byrd’ was ‘one of a kind’.
At BSS, whether by happenstance or design, ‘Byrd’ flew throughout the School her entire time at BSS and later as an ‘Old Girl’, Nikki participating in EVERY School event from stage managing theatrical productions to photographing School life from behind the lens of her camera mounted on her portable tripod.
Nikki lived with a passion for all people, nature, and the outdoors; an entrepreneur contractor by trade, Nikki’s love of horticulture and garden design was equally matched by her enthusiasm for opera, theatre and classical music. Seen often on the hills and dales of the country-side where she lived – roaming with camera and first her two schnauzer dogs and later poodle Amber – wherever Nikki lived, true and lasting friendships followed.
When in June 2022 our BSS Class of ‘72 celebrated its 50th Reunion, Nikki’s absence was keenly felt – especially having herself hosted the Class’ 20th Reunion in her family’s home on Poplar Plains Road, Toronto in 1992 – the year BSS celebrated its 125th Anniversary and Nikki’s dear friend and life-long mentor/teacher Mrs. Helen Strasser was retiring from BSS.
Nikki’s last years were marked by her illnesses becoming complicated and chronic, causing her to live in a more solitary fashion, though still devoted to keeping in touch with friends and classmates by email, text, phone and social media.
It was at this time that ‘Team Nikki’ rallied to holistically support Nikki to ensure that her final years would be lived with dignity, well-being, and quality of life
Also, at this time, the Class of ‘72 established the Nikki Holwell Visual Arts and Media Design area in the BSS Library so 21st century students could appreciate first-hand the beauty of the visual arts through photography. Set up in Nikki’s honour, when zooming in from Kingston for the dedication, Nikki was overwhelmed, humbled, and very happy.
Throughout these last two and a half years medical guidance and support for Nikki was ever present thanks to Nikki’s long-time nursing/massage therapist friend Myrna Baker who led the medical aspect of ‘Team Nikki’, and, Nikki was forever grateful for the enduring bonds of friendship and practical support from her BSS classmates and from all who helped her in the final years of her life.
A kindly nod to Tyne Bonebakker – through whom arrangements have been entrusted to MacCoubrey Funeral Home, Cobourg, www.maccoubrey.com, and interment at St. James Anglican Church Cemetery in Roseneath on December 19 at 12 noon. Nikki’s friends are invited to attend. Nikki ‘Byrd’ will be laid to rest atop a high and windy hill surrounded by the beautiful Northumberland countryside: ‘Good-bye dear Byrd – Safe Travels’.
A Special Gathering for Nikki will take place in Spring 2025. Details to come in 2025 from ‘Team Nikki’.
2024
Death notice for the town of: Cobourg, Province: Ontario
death notice Margaret Nicolson
Holwell 2024
obituaries notice Margaret Nicolson
Holwell 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Nicolson
Holwell 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
