Dina Nickerson's Obituary
Dina Nickerson, age 95, passed away peacefully at Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. She was born Dina Theresa DiGeorgio on March 13, 1922 to Domenico and Levia DiGeorgio at their home in Highland Park, Michigan, a small city in metropolitan Detroit. Dina grew up in an Italian neighborhood, with her mother's two sisters and their families living on the same block. She later Americanized her name to Dina DeGeorge. Dina graduated from Northern High School in 1940 and worked initially as a stenographer and later as a bookkeeper.
She met her future husband, George H. Nickerson, while volunteering at a USO facility in Detroit during World War II. They were married in 1947 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Highland Park and lived in Natick, Massachusetts, before moving to Florida in 1957. Following George's death, she married Joseph P. Galvin in 1977 at her residence in Miami Lakes, Florida.
Dina was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by both husbands, George Nickerson and Joe Galvin, sister Anita DeGeorge, brother Vincent DeGeorge and son Jim Nickerson. She is survived by her son, George (Donna) Nickerson of Gainesville and daughter Laurie (Phil) Werts of Gainesville; grandsons Brian (Margaret) Nickerson of Columbia, South Carolina, Sean (Amelia) Nickerson of Roswell, Georgia, Paul Nickerson of Gainesville and Joe Nickerson, of Gainesville, and granddaughter Hilary (Bobby) Reno; and her beloved great-grandchildren Andrew and William Nickerson of Columbia, South Carolina, Madeline, Thomas and Henry Nickerson of Roswell, Georgia, and Landon, Lawson and Bristol Reno of Gainesville.
Dina was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and the Golden Gators prior to her illness.
The family wishes to thank the loving staff at Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center and Haven Hospice for the wonderful care given during her past two years.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, April 28, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 10900 SW 24th Avenue, with Fr. Jeffrey McGowan as celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the organization of your choice in honor of Dina Nickerson.
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