Joan Elizabeth Norris Nicholson
Born January 7, 1945 in Miami Beach, FloridaDeparted June 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida
Joan Elizabeth Norris Nicholson was born in Miami Beach, Florida on January 7, 1945 to James Norris and Herma Leone Sage. She spent a large part of her childhood traveling between Florida and New York with her grandparents while her father served in the United States Navy and her mother worked in the US Capitol. She was the youngest of three sisters, the surprise addition to the family.
She met the love of her life, Kenneth Nicholson, during their senior year while walking across the front lawn of their high school. It wasn’t until college that they started dating, and married on June 9, 1966.
She and Ken loved to spend time with their niece and nephews, and they moved to Loving, New Mexico a few years after their marriage, then bought a little house in Carlsbad. Joan loved dogs and horses, participating in many horse shows and dog shows over the years. She was part of the Cavern City Kennel Club for many years, acting as President and working with many dogs and owners.
She and Ken welcomed their daughter Heather, in March of 1977, and several years later, they discovered the Society for Creative Anachronism and became heavily involved, meeting many friends who are located all over the country. She served the local shire of Caer Mithin Halle in many positions, and received awards for service from the Kingdom of the Outlands. She also worked for the Carlsbad Public Library as a Library Page for several years.
She was widowed when her beloved Ken left this world in June of 1999, and became a grandmother to her first grandbaby Laurestirne Gran on March 17, 2001. Her second grandbaby, Rhoquinn Gran entered the world on October 31, 2003. She left New Mexico to follow her family to Alabama, then Kentucky before moving in with them when they headed to Washington then finally Florida, coming full circle.
Joan returned to her beloved husband on June 23, 2024, leaving behind her daughter, son-in-law, sister, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends across the country. She will be missed, but we are comforted by the fact that she and her beloved husband have been reunited.
