Tribute

Carole Richards Nicolas, 77, passed away quietly in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Pocopson Home in Chester County following a long illness. She was the wife of Mark Nicolas, and mother to Megan (married to Matt Steinruck), Bonnie (married to John Reilly) and Kathryn (married to Joseph Joyce). Carole was grandmother to five grandchildren, Jonah, Cannon, Gabriel, Fiona, and Tobin. She is survived by her three siblings, Rusty Richards (married to Janet), Harry Richards (married to Nancy) and Erica Walker (married to Wayne), as well as Carole’s Aunt Jean Stephenson, of West Chester County, New York. Carole joins her brother, Bobby Richards (married to Rebecca) in Heaven. Carole was gifted with an astute mind for processes, procedures, and mathematics. She was highly organized and worked as a teller manager at Citizens Bank. She also spent a few years working at her daughter’s middle school in Wayne, PA. She retired in 2008. Carole was a wonderful mother to her three daughters, helping raise them as Christian believers, nurturing and protecting them as well and as lovingly as any mother could. And she was a faithful and loyal wife, a true helpmate to Mark. Carole assisted her husband in several successful business enterprises as their daughters grew more independent and eventually married. She was a driving force on the administrative side of these small businesses, which served a wide range of clients through creative services that focused on marketing, branding, and advertising programs for companies like Graco Children’s Products, Jones Motor Company, and many others. Mark and Carole were married for 50 years. There was, however, a short period early in their marriage when the couple had divorced. In June of 1977, Carole - having belonged to the Narberth Presbyterian Church as a teen - recommitted herself to follow Jesus Christ through the ministry of Hopewell Mennonite Church (now Hopewell Christian Fellowship) in Elverson, PA. Then, due to the witness and unconditional acceptance of those at this congregation, Mark also became a believer shortly thereafter. With the grace of God leading them, Mark and Carole reconciled and remarried in January 1978. Daughters Bonnie and Kathryn followed. Carole’s wish was to donate her organs to anyone in need. As a result of her long-term illness, her remains were donated to Science Care, where her contribution will help medical research and education in areas such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and orthopedics to name a few. There will be a friends and family gathering to remember and celebrate Carole’s life later in 2023. Notices will be sent. Cards and notes may be sent to Mrs. Megan Steinruck, 209 Millwood Road, Lancaster, PA 17602.

Friends & Family