Carolyn Jean Nicholson - 91

12/3/2024 - 12/3/2024

Dyer, Indiana

Carolyn Jean Nicholson nee Little, age 91, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2024.  Most recently, Jean resided at Cedarhurst of Dyer and was watched over by a spectacular staff and team of caregivers who loved her like family.  She formally lived in assisted living facilities in Orland Park, IL, Champaign, IL and Effingham, IL.  Jean spent most of her adult life in Mattoon, IL and Effingham, IL. She was born in Decatur, IL on June 15, 1933 and moved to Beecher City, IL with her family as a young girl. 

Jean graduated from Beecher City High School in 1951 and married the love of her life, Elmer Smith, in 1955 on Christmas Day. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1955 with her teaching degree and received her Master’s Degree from EIU in the mid-1970’s. Jean began her teaching career in Decatur, IL in 1955, but moved to Mattoon, IL shortly after and began teaching fourth grade at Columbian School.  She later taught at Lowell School and Washington School in Mattoon. Jean retired in 1991 but continued to substitute teach for many years after retiring.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Byron G. Little and Leah I. Little nee Hogge.  Her sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty Phillips (Robert) and Pat Smith (Delmar) also preceded her in death. Her daughter Cindy Rivnyak (late Raymond) passed away suddenly in February 2020. Jean is survived by her daughter Sandy (Joseph) Christofanelli of St. John, IN. Her loving grandchildren, Jennifer (Austin) Cangelosi, of Charleston, SC, Kristin (Noah) Wilson of Framingham, MA, Lyndsay (Dave) LeComte of Houston, TX, Joey Christofanelli, of Homewood, IL, Jonathan Rivnyak of Boston, MA and Leah Christofanelli of Silverthorne, CO, will have Grandma Jean in their thoughts forever. Her beautiful great-grandchildren Chloe and Lyla Cangelosi, Sawyer and Jordan Wilson and Mia and Connor LeComte lit up her eyes every time the family was together. Though most of her grandchildren and great grandchildren were far away, looking at all their pictures and Facetiming regularly kept them near in her heart. Her nieces and nephews, Carol (Dennis) Steele, Doug (Jeanette) Phillips, David Smith, Julie Smith and Terri (Dave) Reed, as well as her cousin Ellen (late David) Kruse, were also a big part of her life.

Sitting in the sun was where you would find Jean as soon as it was warm enough. Though traveling was one of Jean’s favorite pastimes.  Trips to sunny Florida, QVC in Philadelphia, Nassau, Bahamas and more with her daughters were memories she held forever.  Jean also liked to volunteer to help those less fortunate than her.  Jean also enjoyed singing and you would always hear her humming along to the radio or TV.  She was in her church choirs and loved singing in the Easter and Christmas Cantatas with her daughters at her side. She was a 35-plus year active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Educational Sorority for women educators. Jean was also a member of the Centenary Methodist Church in Effingham, IL.

Jean will always be remembered for her beautiful smile that lit up a room, her charming personality and of course her glamour.  Her perfectly styled beautiful grey hair, glitzy tops, beautiful bracelets and stylish shoes were admired by all every day up until the end.

Resting at Panozzo Bros. Funeral Home, 530 West 14th Street (US Rt. 30, 3 blks East of Western Avenue) Chicago Heights, IL on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 1:00 pm until time of Funeral Services 5:00 pm. Entombment Monday, December 16, 2024 12:00 noon at the Beecher City Cemetery, with Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan, IL handling the entombment. A luncheon will be held immediately following the graveside service at the Beecher City Area Kluthe Center in the Beecher City Park located at 105 S. Charles Street.

Since Jean was a teacher for over 35 years, the Jean’s family established the Carolyn Jean Nicholson Memorial Fund which will raises money to purchase hard cover books to be distributed to the primary public schools and public library in Mattoon. Memorials can be made in Jean’s name to the Carolyn Jean Nicholson Memorial Fund, c/o Washington Saving Bank, 1111 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL, 61938.