Mary Louise Nicholson, 88, of Indiana, passed away on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at St. Andrew’s Village in Indiana.
The daughter of the late Vinton and Mary (Kopsic) Nicholson, Louise was born on Aug. 22, 1937, in Cambria County.
She graduated from Indiana Area High School in 1955 and received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in 1959. She later obtained her master’s degree in Elementary Education and certification as a Reading Specialist, both from IUP. Louise worked as an elementary school teacher and reading specialist for over 40 years in the Indiana Area School District, retiring in 2002.
Louise loved the Lord and was a woman of deep faith. She attended Christ Bible Fellowship Church in Indiana.
Louise is survived by a brother-in-law, Donald Mahan, of Indiana; three nieces: Cindy Kissel (Martin) of Latrobe; Debbie Bacco (David) of Indiana; Wendy Mahan (Mark) of State College; a nephew, James Smatlak (Brenda) of Punxsutawney; and a grandniece, Samantha Kissel, of Avon, OH.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents; sister Betty (Nicholson) Smatlak; sister Annabell (Nicholson) Mahan; brother-in-law Joseph Smatlak; and niece Carol Smatlak.
A private viewing and funeral will be held on the day of the burial. Robinson-Lytle-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 36 N. 7th Street, Indiana, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of St. Andrew’s Village for their care of Louise.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial contributions be made to Christ Bible Fellowship Church, 178 Old Route 119 Highway South, Indiana, PA 15701.
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