West Newbury, MA; Philomena Grace Nicholson 73, was called home to her Mom, on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

Born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts, a graduate of Salem High School, daughter to the late Leo J. and Mary C. (Quartarone) Garro. Philomena shared the last 16 years in companionship with John Murray, her high school sweetheart. She attended North Shore Community College and later became a hairstylist for several years. A lifelong caregiver, she worked for the State of Massachusetts in Department of Developmental Disabilities for over thirty-five years caring for others. Caring for others is not just what Mom did, it was who she was.

Philomena was blessed with a green thumb and learned to work the rich red PEI soil to grow vegetables; we will always remember her delicious canned chow and mustard pickles. She was in her element outside, and here in the States her flower gardens were a place of comfort, peace, and reflection for her and others. Mom enjoyed walking through her own or others' gardens and enjoying the beauty of each plant, naming them all; she often sent us home with a bucket of perennials for our own gardens. Philomena also enjoyed taking time to journal and take photos of those she loved. She wrote beautifully, and a handwritten card from Philomena was always a letter of love, to all of her friends and family. Always on the hunt for a good deal, she made thrifting and yard- sailing a family adventure. Mom could find the beauty in any item she found on the side of the road (the best bargains were free!). More importantly, she found the beauty in people, and they the beauty in her, who she encountered throughout her lifetime, her journey. Mom taught us how to forgive and love unconditionally. Her heart was bigger than anyone else in the world. Thank you Mom.

Philomena was a genuine soul with an energy that touched all who knew her. In addition to her family and large extended family both in the States and Canada, she will be fondly remembered and missed by so many co-workers, friends, friends of friends, friends of family, acquaintances, people she just met (no longer strangers) and the list goes on and on. She will be remembered most for her generous unconditional love, caring, and forgiving nature and her fashionista style. Above all spending time with her family was most important, she was often found boasting, "If I knew how fun grandbabies were, I would have had them first."

Philomena had a visceral connection with her mother, Mary "Nana", something she dearly cherished and continued throughout her own family. With Mom's passing, Nana has embraced Mom into her arms where Mom will be forever safe, loved, and at peace.

Philomena's legacy will live on through her children, Sherri Nicholson and her significant other, Richard Nellson of Conway, NH, James Nicholson and his wife, Lori of Coats, NC, Jodi Marcus and her husband, Joshua of West Newbury, MA, Rebecca Nardone and her husband, David of Woburn, MA and Bobbi-Jo Gately and her husband, Tom of Gloucester, MA; eleven grandbabies, Shauna, Arsen, Riley, Isabella, Matthew, Jolee, David, Olivia, Aaron, Aidan, and Sophie; two great-grandbabies, Phoenix and Reznor; seven siblings, Millie Boudreault, Marylee Stanton, Diane Chalifour and her husband, George, Anthony Garro, Cindy Prato and her husband, Paul, Cookie Boucher and her husband, Dean, Lisa Cade and her husband, Loren; several close cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and her special granddog, Baby (who is still looking for her today). In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by the father of her children, Robert S. Nicholson and two loving nephews, Joey Chalifour and Richard Prato.

Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours to be held on Monday, October 3, 2022, from 11am-1pm at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH. A Funeral service will follow at 1:15pm in the funeral home. Burial will be in the family lot at Atkinson Cemetery, Atkinson immediately following the service.