Jean Eberlein Nicholls

July 13, 1931 ‐ October 07, 2020

Jean Eberlein Nicholls (nee Lamp) of Westlake, age 89, was born July 13, 1931, and died on October 7, 2020, after a brief illness. Jean was the beloved wife of Robert Nicholls for 38 years. With the late Otto Peter Eberlein (1931-1979), she had seven children: David Eberlein, MD (wife Sandra), of Lakewood; Barbara Eberlein of Philadelphia; the late Thomas Eberlein, PhD (wife Kristina Machusick), of Camp Hill PA; Tamara Eberlein (husband William Garvey) of Charleston SC; Robert “Sam” Eberlein, MD (wife Kathleen), of Chagrin Falls; John “Willy” Eberlein, JD, of Los Angeles; and Jennifer “Freddie” Eberlein of Charleston SC. Jean was also the loving stepmother of William Nicholls of Catawba, Kristen Nicholls Puntel of Huron;and Amanda Nicholls St. Julian (husband James) of Alvada; devoted sister of Marjorie Crosmer of Clearwater FL and Doris Reik of Wickliffe; and the proud grandmother of 14 and great-grandmother of two.

A dedicated registered nurse, Jean graduated from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in 1952, worked there for several years, and later worked for 19 years at St. Vincent Charity Hospital’s Rosary Hall. As a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians, she kept a meticulous scorecard for every game she ever attended, including World Series games in 1948 and 1995. An avid bridge player for nearly seven decades, Jean belonged to numerous local bridge clubs—and she won quite often. She was also active in the New WestSiders/ANS group, serving for many years as historian, and in her church, St. Paul Westlake.

Jean’s grandest passion was knitting, at which she excelled. At age 88, after two decades of effort, she was certified by The Knitting Guild Association as a Master Hand Knitter. This high distinction, held by fewer than 400 people worldwide, is an achievement of which she was justifiably proud—though she was too modest to brag about it.

Jean possessed a keen mind for mathematics and finance, as well as a kind and compassionate heart. With quiet determination, she met life’s many challenges, including the premature deaths of her first husband Pete, her son Tom and her grandson James. And with unflagging fortitude, she faced multiple cardiac and cancer diagnoses, her final hospitalization in August, and her decision to enter hospice at home where she could spend her last days being cared for by her family. Clear-minded and courageous to the end, she passed away peacefully, steadfast in her Lutheran faith and joyful at the prospect of heaven. Jean will be deeply mourned and forever missed by the many people who knew her and loved her.

The funeral is private due to Covid-19, but will be livestreamed at 11 AM on Saturday, October 10 at www.StPaulWestlake.org/church_home.aspx. Jean will be buried at Lutheran Cemetery, Pearl Road, Cleveland. A virtual reception will follow on Zoom at 3 PM; to participate, please contact a family member. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association.

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