Viola “Nicky” Hersom

Hersom, Viola, 78, Arrangements by Staples Funeral Home, Gardiner.  Interment was held in Oak Grove Cemetery, Gardiner.
    Farmingdale – Viola “Nicky” Hersom, 78, of Dale St., passed away unexpectedly at her home.  She was born March 22, 1929, the daughter of Woodford and Mildred Mullhaland Nicholson in Littleton, Maine.  She graduated from Gardiner High School and married Harold Hersom in 1947, sharing with him 58 years until his death in 2005.
    During the first years of her marriage, Nicky took care of her first child Lolly until her early death at the age of 7.  She then went to work at various places including National Bank of Gardiner, American Optical, Dr. Plympton, O.D., and finally for the State of Maine in both the Income Tax Division and the Department of Fish and Game where she handled snowmobile registrations.
    Nicky was a big socializer and loved to talk.  One never needed to worry about a lull in the conversation when she was present.  She was an avid Red Sox fan and a member of the “4 Clover Club”, a group of lady friends who played beano together. She was a regular at Senior Spectrum, in attendance for lunch every Friday.  She was also a 57-year member of the Winter Street Baptist Church in Gardiner.
    Nicky loved her grandchildren and continually spoiled them with unending generosity.  She loved to watch them at sports events, never missing a game no matter how bad the weather.
    Nicky was predeceased by her parents and husband; sister, Martha Slocum; two brothers, James and Guy Nicholson; and daughter, Laurel “Lolly” Hersom.  She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Hersom and his wife Robin of Topsham; daughter, Heidi Doyon and husband Chris of Hampton, VA; brother, George Nicholson and his wife Bessey; two sisters, Phyllis Hersom and Jewell (Nickie-Peggy) Jackson; nine grandchildren, Neil, Jared, and Jerica Hersom, Ariel, Christopher Jr., and Corina Doyon, Jennifer Rasmussen, Danielle and Amy Card; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Rasmussen, Victoria Hersey, and Addison Harper; and a best friend, Dot Gray.
    Visiting hours were held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, November 4 at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.  A funeral service was held on Monday, November 5 at 11 a.m. at Winter Street Baptist Church, Gardiner with a committal service immediately following in Oak Grove Cemetery, Gardiner.