F. Linda Nickel Goode, successful Realtor
Frances Linda Nickel Goode, a native Delawarean, 73, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 13, 2013, as a result of a tragic pedestrian-auto accident in Centreville.
Born Frances Linda Turner in Dover, the only child of Francis Lodge Turner and Mary Elizabeth Wheatman, Linda led a rambunctious tomboy youth, frequently beating the boys at their own games, boarding a horse in her parents' garage on Bradford Street near Silver Lake (where she was often seen riding along Walker Road), playing field hockey and tennis, and driving a tractor at the family farm north of Dover.
Given her small stature, most people were surprised that as a teen Linda was a female state rifle champion and medaled in several riding competitions.
Linda enjoyed spending her free time at The Canteen in Kitts Hummock as well as with her family and friends in Rehoboth Beach. As an only child, Linda made up for the lack of siblings by having a huge circle of friends. A group from high school, the “Dizzy Dozen,” enjoyed annual treks to Linda’s beach house in Rehoboth Beach in June of almost every year. Her friends and family will sorely miss this outgoing, kind, beautiful, considerate and thoughtful lady.
Linda graduated from Dover High School and the University of Delaware, where she met her first husband Paul P. Nickel. After college, Linda was a grade school teacher at Harlan Elementary School until starting a family in 1963. As her children grew, Linda was a substitute teacher until pursuing a career in real estate, working with Donald R. Carmichael Company and later Patterson Schwartz & Associates before retiring. For many years, Linda was a multi-million dollar sales agent at Patterson Schwartz.
In addition to her career, Linda enjoyed traveling, spending many summers at Colorado Trails Ranch in Durango, Colo., at the family cottage in Rehoboth Beach and other locations around the world. Her children cherish the memories of traveling to wonderful places in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Linda was always on the go. Just this past fall Linda traveled with a childhood friend to Vienna for a Royal Lipizzaner show at the Spanish Riding School.
Linda was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the 1970s; however she never let the disease keep her from remaining active. Through persistence, diet and a holistic approach, Linda kept her MS in remission from the 1970s through the time of her death. Linda participated in the MS Bike to the Bay on several occasions.
Linda was predeceased by her first husband. She is survived by her husband James E. Goode Jr. of Wilmington, who she married in 2002; sons Douglas Nickel (Susan) of Hockessin, Thomas Nickel (Lynne) of Wilmington and Kenneth Nickel (Brittney) of Bowling Green, Ky. She was proud to be Grammy to her grandchildren Mason, Philip, Lauren, Steven, Jacqueline, Dakota, Dylan, and Tyler. Her grandchildren were Linda’s pride and joy.
Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 23, at St. Albans Episcopal Church, 913 Wilson Road, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Delaware Nature Society, PO Box 700, Hockessin, DE 19707, or to the charity of your choice.
