Susan Marie Nickel

Missoula native Susan Marie Nickel died Dec. 21, 2025, at Standifer Place in Chattanooga, TN. She was 70.

The first child of Arlene and Gus Nickel, Susan was born May 24, 1955, in Butte.

She grew up in Missoula where she played the flute, was active in 4-H and loved sewing and baking with her mother. She earned a B.S. at Montana State University and taught in schools in Montana and Washington. She earned a Master of Education in Educational Technology from City University in Bellevue, WA, in 1996. She was a library media specialist in the Kent, WA, and Boise, ID, school districts.

Susan loved to travel. She visited France and the United Kingdom. She enjoyed a trip with her parents to the European Alpine countries and also took an Alaskan cruise with them. She loved Hawaii. Susan visited New York City several times, and Arlene and Gus went with her. As a school librarian, Susan attended conferences throughout the country. Arlene tagged along on one trip to New Orleans.

Susan retired in 2016 and eventually moved to Florida where she lived in Jupiter, St. Augustine and Juno Beach. In Florida. she collected art while on Park West Gallery cruises. A favorite piece was a Peter Max angel sculpture. She loved walking on Florida's beaches and listening to live music at beach cafes. In 2022, she moved to Nashville where she also enjoyed live music. Throughout her life, Susan danced to her own beat.

Susan is survived by her siblings, Lynette Nickel and Christopher Nickel; her favorite cousin, Melinda Millett and her family; and her favorite nieces, Hillary Nickel and Heather Nickel, who wrote: “Aunt, Your legacy will shine on through our stories passed down in our families, as well as the unconditional love you have always shown us.”

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and her beloved cats, Big Kitty, Nikki and Ziggy.

Inurnment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula, Montana.