Mary Ann (Nolan) Nissen of Fernandina Beach Florida passed away peacefully on April 11, 2023 with family members holding her hand with immeasurable love at Community Hospice.
Mary Ann (Nolan) Nissen was born November 27, 1926 in Cedar Rapids Iowa. The daughter of the late James J. Nolan and Helen M. Nolan, she grew up with her two sisters and four brothers. Following High School, Mary Ann attended Nursing School at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids Iowa graduating in 1948. One year later, she married the handsome Charles Julius Nissen of Rock Island, Illinois on October 11, 1949, and was blessed with 73 years of marriage. In 1954, Mary Ann and Charles moved from Rock Island, Illinois to Fernandina Beach, Florida with Charles for employment with Container Stone.
Mary Ann was devoted to her Catholic faith and very active in Saint Michaels Church. Her nursing career spanned from Humphreys Memorial Hospital to Nassau County Health Department. She was a member of the Fernandina Beach Quilt Guild where her love and passion for quilting brought many awards for her prized quilts. During her retirement years, she traveled to Ireland, Hawaii, Alaska and extended stays with numerous family members. She will be remembered by family and many friends made through her 96 years of life.
In addition to her parents, Mary Ann is predeceased by her husband Charles J. Nissen and her daughter Sheila Ann Piccalo. She is survived by her sons Greg Nissen (Anita) of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Matthew Nissen (Frances) of Marianna, Florida; daughter Maureen Ivey (Richard) of McKinney Texas. She leaves behind grandchildren Gregory Nissen Jr. (Amber) of Yulee, Florida, Deanna Nissen of Yulee, Florida and Jerry Kielbasa (Johanna) of Orlando, Florida as well as several great grandchildren Brynleigh, Paislee and Arianna Nissen and Alexa, Isabelle and Noah Kielbasa.
Her memory will be forever etched in our hearts.
A Mass will be held on April 27, 2023, at 11:00am at St Michael’s Church. Interment will be at Bosque Bello Cemetery, Fernandina Beach. Rather than flowers, those who wish to remember Mary Ann in a special way may make gifts to the St. Michael's Catholic School.