Art and Libby Christensen, owners of Les Saisons Bed and Breakfast in Maplewood, will host a post-funeral repast for friends and family of Laura Nichols, the South Orange woman who died Friday.
Laura Grace Stammers Nichols at Blue Plate Special (courtesy Sheena Collum)
The repast will begin immediately following the 11 a.m. funeral service at Morrow Memorial Church on Thursday, April 9, and will end “after the last person goes home,” said Art Christensen. Visitors may come directly after the funeral, or anytime during the day or evening — “as long as the food, drinks, and conversation lasts.”
Les Saisons is located at 304 Elmwood Avenue, Maplewood, 973-699-8276. On site parking is limited for the handicapped; there is street parking in front of the property, and across the street at the community pool parking lot next to the rescue squad.
The Christensens will supply coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks; guests are asked to bring a covered dish or dessert to share, as well as a beverage of choice. (If you do bring food, please bring it in a dish or container you do not need to have returned to you.)
Also: “Please bring your pictures, your stories and her favorite music; and be prepared to share your fondest memories of her.”
Leslie Pogany of Bunnys, Mary Vayas of Village Trattoria and Pete and Fifi Kikianis of Park Wood Diner will donate food as well.
The wake will be held Tuesday, April 7 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Wednesday, April 8 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Preston Funeral Home, 153 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ.
The funeral will be Thursday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Morrow Memorial Church, 600 Ridgewood Avenue, Maplewood, NJ
Nichols’ husband Tommy, her partner Dan Pupke and her three children have requested that people “put away your black clothes and pull out the color” for the wake and funeral.
Nichols wrote on Facebook that as Laura was “a woman of many colors” and it would have made her happy if everyone wears vibrant color, pattern and texture.
Friends have been tying orange ribbons, cloth, yarn, etc. around trees and from windows throughout SOMA, as a tribute to Nichols.
The Gofundme site set up by friends to help Nichols’ family with funeral and other expenses has raised more than $25,000 as of Sunday evening and is still climbing.
