Louise C. Nichols

Louise Canterbury Nichols was born July 25, 1926 in Evansville, IN to Richard and Mary (Stinchfield) Canterbury. Louise went home to be with the Lord on December 23, 2022 at her residence of 55 years in Torrance, CA. Louise attended Rheinlander Grade School and Reitz High School in Evansville, where she graduated with honors in 1944. As a teenager she worked as a waitress at “The Shack” in Evansville as well as at Montgomery Ward. Louise then worked as a typist and clerk at Bucyrus-Erie in Evansville, a heavy equipment manufacturing company under Department of Defense contracts from 1943-1955.

It was while working at Bucyrus-Erie that she met the love of her life, Clarence “Dave” Nichols of Fayetteville, NC. In November of 1955 they eloped to Las Vegas and settled in Huntington Park, CA. In the later 1950s, Louise worked as a bank teller, clerk and switchboard operator for various companies including First Bank, Fedco, National Titanium, and Stanford Research Institute. From 1961-1975 Louise was a homemaker living in Redondo Beach and later in Torrance. She re-entered the work force in 1975 and worked at the Daily Breeze newspaper in Torrance, advancing to the position of Secretary to the Publisher. Louise retired from the Daily Breeze in 1993.

Louise loved to read and work crossword puzzles. Music was her passion, and she was an accomplished pianist and played in church as well as at home with her family. She was also a self-taught Accordionist. Louise accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age, and her faith was an integral part of her life. She was a member of Rolling Hills Covenant Church.

Louise is survived by her son Mark “Nick” Nichols of Knights Ferry, CA, daughter Mary (Zane) Nichols-Faught of Rancho Palos Verdes, grandson Ryan Nicholas Faught of Rancho Palos Verdes and many friends and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence David Nichols, her parents Richard and Mary Canterbury, brother Jerry Canterbury of Evansville, IN, sister Elizabeth Karns of Seneca, SC, and many friends. She will be missed by her family and friends.