Janet Crooker Nickerson

RALEIGH, N.C. – Janet Crooker Nickerson, 91, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021 in Raleigh, N.C. She was born in Norway, during the Great Depression into a large family with four brothers and six sisters. She loved to ice skate, and once had dreams of becoming a professional figure skater. She also was a voracious reader, inspired greatly by her 5th grade teacher. She also hated cherries! And would NEVER eat anything to do with cherries or cherry flavor! I believe that was because she once got sick after eating too much cherry pie.

She graduated from Providence Bible Institute (now Gordon College) in 1953, and then married Gifford Nickerson in Auburn. Janet worked and raised three kids while supporting her husband, and they moved a lot to keep up with his academic pursuits, finally settling in Raleigh, N.C., in 1968. Her favorite places to live included Seattle and Montana.

Janet taught kindergarten and served as Child Daycare Director at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, N.C., where she worked from 1968 to the early 1970s.

Janet later served in North Carolina state government, and rose to the position of Section Head of the Child Daycare Licensing Office. Janet later branched out on her own and established Creative Day Care Consultants, a small business aimed at helping North Carolina daycare centers.

Janet and Gifford really enjoyed the North Carolina State Faculty Club, which gave them many opportunities to relax and joke among friends. They often participated in faculty club parties, with many centered on country and western themes. They both loved to two-step, and shared a love of county music.

Janet never learned to swim, and often said she was afraid of the water, but that did not stop her riding in boats! She would climb aboard her nephew’s pontoon boat and meander around Whitney Pond. She also toured a portion of Boston in 2013 on a Charles River Duck Boat, and never looked happier!

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Gifford; siblings Herbert, Peggy, Harold, Celia, Arthur, Polly, Muriel, and Roberta.

She is survived by her brother, Bob (Becky); her children, Paula, John (Isabel) and Karen; grandchildren John, Chris (Esme), Kyle (Nina), Dianna, Kaylie, Karson, and Joseph; great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Damon; many nieces, nephews; and good friends.

She was loved by all and will be thought of often.

Memorial services are planned for a future date in North Carolina.

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