Obituary of Christine Ann Nichols

Christine Ann Nichols, 70, of State College, PA, died October 21, 2022 at Centre Care Rehabilitation and Wellness.

Born on October 7, 1952, in St. Paul, MN, she was the eldest child of Stanley and Mary (Anderson) Kegler.

She is survived by her sons, Nicholas (Kaitlin) Bevins of Franklin, MI and Joseph (Caryn) Bevins of Mount Lebanon, PA; grandchildren James, Cora, Byron and Lilah; siblings, Scott (Michelle) Kegler of Decatur, GA, Gregory (Karla) Kegler of Ankeny, IA, Nancy (Al) Quenomoen of Babbitt, MN and Emmy Kegler (Michelle Masselink) of Minneapolis, MN; her husband, John Nichols of State College; her stepmother, Dianne Del Giorno of St. Paul, MN; and longtime caregiver and friend Rodney Dullen of Benner Township.

Christine earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism and mass communication from the University of Minnesota and held several top communications and staff positions in Minnesota state government and the private sector. She began her career on the media staff of Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson and later served as deputy communications director, manager of constituent services, and director of scheduling and judicial appointments for Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich. She ended her government service as director of communications for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

She also was regional communications manager for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and director of corporate communications for Physicians Health Plan of Minnesota.

After moving to Pennsylvania, Christine was a full-time mother and part-time writer for Audio-Visual Services at Penn State. She was co-founder and editor of Family Pages, a community publication for families with young children.

Christine was a voracious reader, avid gardener, and astute collector of eclectic bird houses and snow globes. She spent summers tending to her Minnesota hostas and winters channeling Grandma Olie while shoveling snow barefoot. Family and friends will always remember her ability to light a room with her smile, her quick-witted and quirky phrases, and her gift of gab.

The family will hold a reception to celebrate Christine's life on Sunday, November 20 from noon to 2 pm at Centre Hills Country Club, 153 Country Club Road, State College.

Donations in Christine's memory can be made to Centre Care, 250 Persia Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823 or to the donor's favorite charity.