About This Memory Space
This page was created for Patricia Gayle Nickerson's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Patricia Gayle Nickerson's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Patricia Gayle Nickerson. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Patricia 'Gayle' Nickerson embodied a life of quiet strength, selfless service, and unwavering family devotion, leaving behind a tapestry of warmth that continues to envelop those she held dear.
From her early days in Watseka, Illinois, Gayle carried a gentle spirit and an innate drive to uplift others, traits that defined her path through decades of personal and professional growth. A graduate of Honey Creek High School in Terre Haute, Indiana, she navigated life's challenges with resilience, faith, and a profound sense of patience, qualities she instilled in everyone around her. Her world revolved around creating moments of care and connection, whether in her career or the intimate circles of home.
Gayle launched her career at Amax Coal Company, dedicating nearly three decades from 1969 to 1998 and breaking barriers as the pioneering—and sole—female President of the esteemed 20 Year Club. Channeling her love for nurturing well-being, she later founded and led The Escape Day Spa for over ten years, earning top honors from Indianapolis Woman Magazine and establishing a haven where clients discovered renewal and genuine appreciation.
Family & Loved Ones
Gayle's deepest fulfillment sprang from the everyday rhythms of family life, where she poured out encouragement and wisdom like a steady hearth fire. Her children—Lori (Steve) Clyne, Jennifer (Bob) Arnold, and Matthew (Rebecca) Cotton—along with sister Diane Heindel, bore witness to her boundless patience and faith-driven love. Grandchildren including Blake Clyne, Allison (Caleb) Small, Grant (Megan) Clyne, Christopher (Brandy) Mitchell, Dustin (Emily) Mitchell, Camie Steiner, Jason (Sunrise) Arnold, James Cotton, Jessi (Manuel) Cotton-Renteria, Jena Cotton, Madison, Isabele, Alexiss, Baleigh, and Gabriel Cotton, plus 21 great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, filled her days with joy. Though she mourned the loss of son Bradley S. Cotton, granddaughter Amanda Arnold, parents Audrey and Edward Firchau, and siblings Bob Firchau, Beth Ann Stokes, and Billy Wools, her resilient heart remained a pillar of unconditional support.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Echoes from the community capture Gayle's essence as a beacon of kindness and fortitude, with shared reflections underscoring her talent for fostering comfort and her enduring spirit of generosity.