Phyllis Arlene Nichols
“Arlene” died May 1, 2004, in Lincoln. For 28 years Arlene was a
resident of Morgan Hill.
Phyllis Arlene Nichols “Arlene” died May 1, 2004, in Lincoln.
For 28 years Arlene was a resident of Morgan Hill. She was a certified nutritionist and assisted customers in the Guardian Nutrition Products store she co-owned and operated with her husband of 52 years, Don Nichols. He died earlier this year.
Arlene was born June 17, 1931, in Emmett, Idaho to Alice Jane (Rynearson) Hunter and Joseph Waite (Jay) Hunter. At Emmett High School Arlene was active as a cheerleader, student council member and editor of the school newspaper. Following high school, Arlene worked as a clerk for the Idaho Department of the Interior.
When her children were young Arlene focused on home and volunteer work in Southern California and San Jose. In 1961 she began working toward a college degree. She received her BA in Art and a lifetime elementary school teaching credential from San Jose State University in 1971. Arlene was an accomplished ceramic artist.
She and her husband, Don, built and operate Round Table Pizza Franchises in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. They sold those businesses, traveled to the Caribbean and returned to start the Guardian Nutrition health store business in 1983 only to rebuild it following a major earthquake one year later.
Arlene was active in the community, particularly growth issues in Morgan Hill. She sang in the American Association of University Women choir. After earning her certificate as a Certified Nutritionist, she served as president of the National Association of Certified Nutritionists and worked locally with customers and community groups on health concerns.
Arlene is survived her sister Lola Kysar of North Bend, Oregon; sister-in-law Darlene Hunter of Emmett, Idaho; children Wayne Nichols of Rocklin and Laura Horsey of West Linn, Oregon; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to attend funeral services to be held 2 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at the Potter Funeral Chapel 228 E. Main, Emmett, Idaho.
A memorial service is planned for a later date in Morgan Hill.
The family asks that any donations be made to Citizens for Health (www.citizens.org).
