Elizabeth Ann Nicholas

Elizabeth Ann Nicholas, 75, of Westport, died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, in Westport, after a battle with kidney and congestive heart failure.

She was born June 18, 1936, in Aberdeen, Wash. to John Edward and Arta Mae (Shults-Carlton) Erickson.

On June 18, 1954, she married Andrew "Andy" Byron Nicholas Jr. in Coquille. He preceded her in death Sept. 4, 1979. The couple had seven biological children and also raised their oldest granddaughter, Arta Nicholas, as a daughter.

On Jan. 1, 1986, she married Clifford "Cliff" Marshall Parrish. They divorced Nov. 21, 2000, and she took back the Nicholas family name.

Mrs. Nicholas was a homemaker. Over the years, she resided in Aberdeen, Wash., Coos Bay, Bradwood, Brownsmead, Taylorville, Everett, Wash., Monroe, Wash., Alameda, Calif., Williams and Westport.

She was a member of the Westport Assembly of God.

Family members said her nicknames were Beth and Betty. Her interests included crafting, crocheting, needlework, collecting, reading and cooking. She enjoyed family get-togethers.

She is survived by eight children and their spouses, Raymond "Ray" and Julia Nicholas of Westport, Leslie "Les" and Laurie Nicholas and Don and Betty Nicholas, all of Taylorville, Pamela "Pam" Jamison and her husband, Lee Eberhard, and Rex and Mia Nicholas, all of Clatskanie, Melody and Gregory "Greg" DeMaster of Hermiston, Cathy and Albert Segundo of Newberg and Arta Nicholas of Everett, Wash.; a brother, William "Bill" Erickson and his wife, Judy, of Brush Prairie, Wash.; a sister-in-law, Patricia "Pat" Oaks and her husband, Jim, of Lake Stevens, Wash.; 17 grandchildren, John Nicholas of Westport, Alan and Thomas "Tom" Nicholas of Clatskanie, Anna and April Nicholas, Sara MacCharles and Michael and Robert Nicholas, all of Longview, Wash., Timothy "Tim" Nicholas of Rainier, Benjamin "Ben" and Charlotte Nicholas of Taylorville, Jennifer Glenn and her husband, Christopher "Chris," of Spokane, Wash., Jeremie DeMaster and his partner, Christopher "Chris" DeMaster of Portland, Amber DeMaster and Nicole Steiner and her husband, Steven, of Hermiston, and Irmalinda "Irma" and Ameryka Segundo of Newberg; two foster grandchildren, Lucy and Miguel Silva-Lopez of Newberg; 15 great-grandchildren, Shawn Cargill Jr. and Tiana, Alexander "Alex" Cargill of Everett, Kylie Nicholas of Westport, Domnic Nicholas, Armando "Mando" Antonio, Angel Alejo and Elaura "Daisy," Hether, Tabias "Tye" MacCharles, all of Longview, Tyler DeMaster of Portland, Connor and Bailey Glenn of Spokane, Rebekah Stiener of Hermiston and Sierra Marie Nicholas (her name was changed when she was adopted out, now Tiffany, surname unknown), last known residence, Portland; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward "Allan" Erickson; a sister-in-law, Anita Louise (Lambert-Bates) Erickson; and a nephew, Charles Allen Erickson.

A memorial will be held at 2 p.m. at the Alston's Corner Assembly of God Church, 25272 Alston Road in Rainier. A potluck will follow the service.

After cremation, some of the ashes will be buried at Westport Cemetery; the rest will be spread on the Columbia River.

Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com