Our family is deeply saddened to announce that after a sudden illness, Nicole (Nicky) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 17, 2022.
She was loving mother to Danielle (Matt), David (Tassan) and Mimi (Jeff). Grandmother to Emma, Phoebe, Madison, Dane, Danika, Cassie-Anne, Mackenzie, and Cody. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Brian; parents, Marie and Raoul Robillard, and sister Theresa Nichols.
Born in Vancouver, Nicky graduated from Little Flower Academy and attended UBC in the 1960’s. UBC was a special place for both Brian and Nicky. It was there they fell in love, committing to each other notwithstanding the obstacles that existed for interracial couples at that time. They started their family shortly after getting married and with Danielle and David in tow (and Nicky pregnant with Mimi) their sense of adventure led them to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where they embraced the exotic habitat and made lifelong friendships.
In 1974, they returned to Vancouver to raise their children and be close to their families. While both Nicky and Brian were passionate about creating a loving and active family and community life, it was Nicky who navigated and executed with a positive attitude and seemingly boundless energy. Nicky was a generous host in her home unfazed by Brian’s impromptu party invitations. She was a devoted mother investing time to help her children with schoolwork, join sports teams and pursue activities. Weekend ski trips and family vacations brought the family joy and Nicky made these happen. Through role modeling, Nicky taught her kids to think “big”, embrace change and be resilient.
In the 1980s Nicky decided to re-enter the workforce. When the opportunity to join a life insurance agent as his secretary presented itself, she took on the role bringing her intelligence, energy, and strong work ethic to bear. Soon enough, Nicky decided she could master the business as her own boss and branched out. Told the insurance business was “no place for a woman”, Nicky went on to obtain the highest education within the insurance industry, the CLU designation, eventually being presented with the John A Tory Award for the highest mark in Canada. Nicky followed her entrepreneurial spirit and started her own insurance agency, a female trailblazer in an almost all male business. She made her mark with female style and grace. Always stylish, Nicky was never seen without her power suit, signature scarf and high heels.
Together with Brian, she lived a life of adventure and curiosity. From riding Harley Davidson motorcycles across North America; to building a farm in Fort Langley with horses, dogs, and cows; to leaving that behind for warehouse loft living in Gastown, she was never afraid to explore the uncharted. Always curious and an academic at heart, Nicky was a voracious reader and took pride in keeping up on the economy, politics, world events and the news of the day. This made her a great and stimulating conversationalist, for those who came prepared to listen! Generous, charitable, thoughtful, resilient, smart, and funny, she lived a full and complete life on her own terms.
Nicky was incredibly proud of her beautiful family. Affectionally known as “Neen” by her grandchildren, she loved them unconditionally and found endless joy immersing herself in the passions and pursuits of each one of them.
At the end of her life, she felt very blessed and spoke of this often.
Blessed that she was fortunate to spend her final days in her beautiful home with her loved ones by her side, sharing stories and celebrating precious memories.
Blessed to have two very special physicians invested in her care, giving her peace in the face of the sudden onset of her illness.
Blessed that she would be reunited with Brian.
Nicky’s legacy will always live brightly in the hearts of her children, grandchildren and in the many lives she touched during a life full of an abundance of love, laughter, learning, and friendship.
The family is grateful to Dr. Raymond McConville in Vancouver and Dr. Thomas Okech in Tubingen, Germany for their unwavering care and support. We also wish to thank the Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre with special thanks to Michelle, Kyle, Claire and Bruia who provided compassionate home hospice care to Nicky.
A Memorial Mass will be held for Nicky on Saturday, October 8th, 2022, at 3:30 p.m., at St. Mark’s Parish located at UBC, followed by a reception at 5:30 p.m., by invitation, to be held at a separate location.
For those who wish to join us virtually, please visit www.legacystreaming.com/kearney . The Mass will be live streamed and recorded.
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