Elizabeth Muir Nichol

Elizabeth Muir Nichol passed away May 16, 2022 in Wheaton, DuPage County, IL. She was born October 26, 1926, in Chicago, Cook County, IL to Elizabeth Elsie Littlejohn and L. Dow. Nichol, Jr. and was a longtime resident of Glen Ellyn, IL.

Betty shined the brightest when she was making music. She graduated from Glenbard High School, Glen Ellyn, IL in 1944. She was an honors student, in choir, operetta club, French club, and an entertainment club called Kits and Skits. Her fellow students saw her talent: “To an opera star of the future,” was written in her yearbook. She performed Easter and Christmas solos at many local churches. 

This continued at Carleton College, Northfield MN where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Soprano Vocal Performance in 1948. She sang lead in musicals such as Dona Rosita, HMS Pinafore, and Trial by Jury. She was a member of the Business Club, French Club, and arts opportunities like May Fete, Glee Club, and president of the Chapel Choir, singing in weekly campus vespers and holiday services.

With a 1948 Northwestern University Teaching Certificate, she taught music in Rantoul, Illinois. She performed with the Memphis Open Air Theatre (MOAT) for two years before moving to Chicago. She appeared on the Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour, Radio Stations WENR and WCFL on Sunday, June 24, 1945 performing “Begin the Beguine'' and her family is thankful they can enjoy the recordings now.

In 1961, she returned to Glen Ellyn to care for her mother and then father. She shared music of all kinds with her nieces, through playing piano, vinyl records and singing a helpful song over the phone. Her handwritten score of “Look for the Silver Lining” is a treasure.

Betty was a 30 year resident of Wyndemere… her family is thankful for the kind care she received there, especially in the last few years.

Those who will  honor Betty’s memory include her sister-in-law Diana Ruth Rea Nichol, nieces Lisa Hatfield, Jennifer Horsey, Elena Nichol and grand nieces Emma Hatfield and Leah Horsey. 

Those awaiting her are her parents Elsie and L.D. Nichol Jr., her brother L. Dow Nichol III, and all the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins she held so dear.

Memorial service and interment will be held privately. 

Donations in the name of Elizabeth M. Nichol will be welcomed to either Residential Hospice (www.residentialhealthcaregroup.com/services/hospice/give-back/) or Carleton College Department of Music (Gift Accounting, Carleton College, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057. Checks should be made out to Carleton College and then "In memory of Elizabeth M. Nichol, Class of 1948" on the memo line. Online gifts can be made at give.carleton.edu)

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