Phyllis Anne Nichols

Phyllis Anne Nichols, 98, of La Porte, passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at Miller Health and Rehab.

She was born in Washington, D.C., on May 14, 1923 to H. Seymour and Imogen (Taylor) Walcott.

On June 12, 1948, she married Earl L. Dolaway who preceded her in death.  From that union, she welcomed Peggy (Thomas) Schemenauer of Gurnee, IL and James (Margaret) Dolaway of Waco, TX; and stepgrandson, Marc Cain of Sydney, Australia.  Later, on April 27, 1987, Phyllis married Orville W. Nichols.  From that union, she welcomed three stepchildren, Abigail (Carl) Nelson of Washington,  D.C., Karen Northrop of Bristol, CT and Wade R. Nichols of Fishers, IN; and three stepgrandchildren, Abigail (David) Yeh, Alexander Northrop, and Anne Nichols.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands.

Phyllis' education included schools in Maryland, Michigan, New York, and graduation from Elkhart High School.  She graduated from DePauw University in 1944 and from Purdue University in 1972.  Phyllis came to La Porte in 1944 to be the first teacher of Spanish at LPHS.  In 1967, she became the first elementary library/media specialist.

Phyllis was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Tri Kappa Associates, Kitchen Kin Home Extension Group, People to People, La Porte Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, and Neighborhood Watch.  Her past activities included DePauw class manager, holding offices in area and state library organizations, holding a state office in Kappa Kappa Kappa, being a charter member of AAUW  Recent Graduates, and a board member of Regency Place.  Phyllis was a tutor for Literacy Coalition and was listed in Who's Who of American Women.

Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1000 Michigan Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350.  The Rev. Canon Michelle I. Walker will be officiating.  Burial will follow at Door Village Cemetery.

A time of visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Tri Kappa Memorial Fund, 941 E. 86th Street, Suite 103, Indianapolis, IN 46240; La Porte City Parks Department, 250 Pine Lake Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350; La Porte County Parks Department, 0185 S. Holmsville Road, La Porte, IN 46350; or to donor's choice.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlercares.com.