Michele Nichols

Michele G. Nichols entered the presence of the Lord on June 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She did it her way—at home, surrounded by family. She passed peacefully, and after 22 years of bravely battling cancer, she is now pain-free. Hallelujah!

Michele was born on August 1, 1947, to Don and Margaret Bonnee in Granada Hills, California. Her father played clarinet on The Lawrence Welk Show. She graduated from Granada Hills High School in 1965 and moved to Las Vegas in 1969, where she built a life and career dedicated to serving others.

First and foremost, Michele was a devoted wife, mom, and grandma. She absolutely adored each of her children and grandchildren and cherished her family deeply.

She and Nick traveled the world together, visiting places such as Europe, Germany, Israel, Alaska, and enjoying many memorable cruises.

Michele earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Arts in Ethics and Policy Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She was also an adjunct faculty member at the University of St. Francis and a proud member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Michele held many roles throughout her remarkable healthcare career, beginning as a CNA at St. Rose Dominican Hospital. She went on to serve as:

• Educator and Staff Nurse, Sunrise Hospital

• Emergency and Pulmonary Manager, MountainView Hospital

• Education Manager, Desert Springs Hospital

• Chief Nursing Officer, Valley Hospital

She retired as the System Director for Education, Learning, and Development for the Valley Health System University.

Among her many accomplishments, Michele developed an educational program on ethical decision-making that continues to be distributed nationwide for healthcare professionals to receive CME credits.Her professional recognitions include:• March of Dimes Distinguished Nurse of the Year• Appointed member of the Nevada State Board of Nursing Law and Legislative Committee• Founder of the Southern Nevada Society of Healthcare Education and Training

Michele is survived by her beloved husband, Richard (Nick) Nichols of 39 years and their precious maltipoo Princess; her daughter, Jodi Packard; her sons, Bryan Hodge (Allison), Mark Hodge, Richard Nichols (Dani), and Scott Nichols (Amy); her brother, Michael Bonnee of California; 19 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Margaret Bonnee, and her brother Gary Bonnee.

Michele’s hobbies included golfing, multiple trophy winners in racquetball, reading, writing, and traveling. She led the children’s ministry at Spring Valley Baptist church for many years, and for the last 6 years was an administrative leader and prayer warrior for Women’s Bible Study Fellowship (BSF).

Michele was deeply loved, and she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with all her heart.

Michele's kindness was unwavering, her support steady, and her impact immeasurable. She saw the best in people and inspired everyone around her to be their best selves.

Though we mourn her passing, we also celebrate her legacy — one that lives on in every prayer she prayed, every life she touched, every nurse she taught and every act of compassion she inspired.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 28, 2025, at Liberty Baptist Church in Las Vegas.