Virginia Nichols

Virginia Zaczkowski Nichols, 84, of Southington, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family on April 8, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late Irving R. Nichols, Jr.

Virgina was born in New Britain on February 11, 1940, to the late Casimir and Helen (Urbanowicz) Zaczkowski.   She attended New Britian schools and worked for SNET in customer service for 30 years.  After her retirement, Virginia and her late husband traveled cross country on two occasions. They also enjoyed annual trips to Key West.

Virginia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. Family meant everything to her.  She was so proud of her sons and would brag about them to everyone she met. She always found a way to bring the family together, especially her children and grandchildren.  She hosted weekly Sunday dinners and planned annual family summer beach vacations to Chalker Beach in Old Saybrook that brought everyone together.  She loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events throughout the years.  She could often be found cheering from the bleachers at Memorial Park or the SHS gymnasium.  Later in life she enjoyed Thursday dinners with her sisters and brothers, family cruises and vacations to Myrtle Beach.  

Virginia was very social, always out and about, enjoying lunches and bus tours with her friends. She was active in her community, having lived in Southington most of her adult life. She loved helping others and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed her.  She volunteered at Bread for Life, was a Board Member of the Bradley Hospital Auxiliary, and was very active in the First Lutheran Church, sitting on the council and participating in many church events.  Virginia was also a member of the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Mary Our Queen Church.

Virginia is survived by her two sons whom she loved dearly, Tom Nichols and his wife Kelly of Essex, Kurt Nichols and his wife Debbie of Southington; her cherished five grandchildren, Amanda Therrien and her husband Jordan, Elizabeth Davis and her husband Brandyn, Ben Nichols and his wife Karolina, Zachary Nichols and his fiancé Almedina Kokic, all of Southington and Shannon Stowell and her husband Barrett of Essex;  her four great grandchildren Asher and Rory Therrien and Emma and Abby Nichols, who made her smile.   She is also survived by her seven sisters and brothers, Daniel (Judy) Zaczkowski, Marilyn (David) Dorau, Richard (Anne) Zaczkowski, Paul (Judy) Zaczkowski, James Zaczkowski, Lynne Vitale and Laurie Forbes; brother-in-law Wayne Carling; and close family members Rebecca Brown and her two sons, Dan and Cody Brown, whom she considered her grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her son Irving R. Nichols, III “Bud”, her sisters Louise Wilcox and Noreen Pelto, and her sister-in-law Joan Carling.

Virginia’s family would like to thank Hartford Healthcare Hospice for their compassion and support over the last two weeks.  

Calling hours will be held from 1:00-3:00 pm on Sunday, April 14 at Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main Street, Plantsville.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 15 at the Plantsville Funeral Home.   Burial will follow in Wonx Spring Cemetery in Plantsville.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia’s honor can be made to First Lutheran Church, 232 Bristol Street, Southington, CT 06489. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.