Bridget A. 'Barb' Nicholson

BLAIR. Wis. — Bridget A. “Barb” Nicholson of Mercer, died on Wednesday August 28, 2019 in Blair, Wis..

Bridget was born Jan. 14, 1937 in Carrick East, Cornamona, County Galway, Ireland. Her family moved nearby to Kilbeg, Clonbur when she was a child. After working briefly in England, Bridget, along with her younger sister Maureen, immigrated to Chicago in 1957. Bridget became an American citizen in 1963.

Bridget married Peter Frank Jonas July 25, 1959. She was widowed in 1968. Bridget married Clyde E. “Bud” Nicholson July 11, 1970. They moved to Mercer in 1972.

Bridget worked many years on the assembly line at Simpson Electric in Mercer and Lac du Flambeau and developed cherished friendships with many of her co-workers. Bridget had a particular gift for making friends and people sought out her presence and counsel throughout her life. She loved quilting, knitting, white deer, conversation, Celtic music, Wisconsin Public Television and the color blue. She had to leave school to work early in life, but she was a life-long reader and learner with a well-used Kindle. After a lapse of some years, she recommitted herself to the Catholic faith.

Bridget is survived by her son, Peter (Kary) Jonas of Arcadia; grandchildren, Maura, Liam and Brendan (Angel Coles) Jonas; siblings, Thomas (Mary Christina) Finn of Ennis, Ireland, Peggy (Edward) Cosgrove, Martin “Matty” Finn, John (Julia) Finn all of Sidney, Australia, Michael Finn of Newcastle on Tyne, England; brother-in-law, William Wiemerslage of Hurley; sister-in-law, Kathleen Finn of Sidney and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Peter and Clyde; her parents, Michael and Barbara (née Walsh) Finn; her sisters, Maureen Wiemerslage and Teresa “Tess” (William) Gannon; her brothers, Patrick and Kieran Finn and her sister-in-law Helen Finn.

A time of storytelling and sharing of memories will take place 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2 at the Pines Restaurant in Mercer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday Sept. 3 at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 9 a.m. at St. Isaac Jogues and Companions Parish in Mercer with Fr. Maria Joseph Kodiganti presiding.

On Wednesday Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. Bridget will be buried alongside her first husband, Peter Frank Jonas at Irving Park Cemetery in Chicago.

Memorials in honor of Bridget will be directed to Clonbur/Cloughbrack Pride of Place in Ireland and Wisconsin Public Television.