AUBURN — Dora “Dobie” L. Nickless, 84, a resident of Livermore and former resident of North Jay, passed away Thursday morning, July 19, at The Hospice House in Auburn, with her daughters by her side.

She was born Nov. 28, 1933, in Soper, Okla., the daughter of James Alex Lowrance and Mabel (Russell) Lowrance. Dobie graduated as class valedictorian from Soper High School in 1950. She was the first member of the family to receive a college degree. She received her bachelor’s degree in education, with an emphasis in English, from the Oklahoma College for Women.

On May 7, 1954, in Chickasha, Okla., she married Bernard “Mike” Nickless. He passed away Feb. 23, 2016. Dobie taught high school English in Soper, Okla., Lake Luzerne, N.Y., Bucksport, Wilton and Jay. She retired in 2004 after 45 years of teaching, and continued to be a substitute teacher.

When you walked into her classroom, you were greeted with college pennants, football posters and many Jay Tiger mementos. Her students referred to her as “Ma Nick,” and in return her students were her “cherubs” and she always called them “hon.” Dobie was the biggest football fan you would ever meet, so if you were stopping by the house to visit, you better be ready to talk about football. She loved hosting Super Bowl parties and serving “Mike’s jambalaya” and her famous tacos. Her favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys, Notre Dame and the University of Oklahoma, and she was a devoted Jay High School football fan.

She was an avid reader, loved playing cards, spending time at the family camp on Moosehead Lake, watching movies, especially her favorite movie, “Gone with the Wind.” She was more than just a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and mém; she was the “Essence of Catholicism.” She was a very active communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay, a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Daughters of Isabella. She and Mike taught high school students CCD at their home every week. She prayed often and prayed for everyone at all times. She greeted everyone with kindness and made sure everyone knew they were cared for and loved.

She is survived by her daughters Jackie Castonguay and her husband, Donald, of Livermore, Tommye Sims and her husband, Lynn, of Oklahoma City, Okla., Michelle “Mikie” Stebbins and her husband, Mark, of Poland; grandchildren Brittney Smith and her husband, Cameron, Brian Castonguay and his wife, Kate, and Rileigh and Sydney Stebbins; great-grandchild, Willow Castonguay; sisters Tommye Edwards and Rebecca Gober; brother, James Lowrance Jr.; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Hospice House for their outstanding care.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

Dora “Dobie” L. Nickless

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