Tributes flow for Coolum Beach Christian College driving force

Loved ones will gather to farewell a much-loved mum who was a driving force behind the foundation of an elite Sunshine Coast school after her shock death aged 63.

Zane, Isaac, Angie, Michael, Jesse and Eli Nichol.

Loved ones have confirmed the funeral details of a much-loved mum-of-five following her shock death only a month after her cancer diagnosis.

Long-time Coolum Beach resident Angelina Nichol, better known as Angie, helped found the Coolum Beach Christian College with her husband Steve Nichol in 2004, with a church opening in 2008 at the school one of their legacy projects.

Mrs Nichol was given a shock diagnosis of lung cancer that had spread to her brain on June 21.

She died on Friday, July 21, aged 63.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, July 31, at the Victory Church in Bridgeman Downs at 1pm with her burial planned at a cemetery where her husband was laid to rest.

Angie Nichol, has died following a shock cancer diagnosis in June.

Mrs Nichol’s loved ones gathered at a Coolum Beach coffee shop on Monday, July 24 to acknowledge the mum-of-five’s incredible achievements and the kindness and respect she showed countless others over the course of her life.

Her 21-year-old son Jesse Nichol said he would miss her advice the most.

Angie Nichol with her sons Eli, Isaac, Jesse, Michael and Zane.

“Whenever anything happens in your life, any kind of trouble, any kind of financial situations, any big decisions, you just called Mum,” he said.

One of her other sons, Zane, chimed in and said he would call her about “any decision”.

He said he would miss her sense of humour the most.

“Just the way she took on everything, nothing was a stress … I mean it was in the early days,” Zane said.

“But the way she dealt with it, she was so modest and humble about it all.”

One of her closest friends Vivienne Daly said Mr and Mrs Nichol married in 1978 and it was their mission to “impact the world through the gospel” locally, nationally and internationally.

Angie Nichol surrounded by friends at her unit in Coolum Beach.

“Locally, it was to touch lives through the school, so they both lived with that passion,” she said.

The long-time friend of the couple said they were the “visionaries” behind the Yandina-Coolum Rd school.

Ms Daly said a demountable building was built on the day the school started so first lessons were held in an original home that was still on the block.

Angie Nichol and long-term friend Pam Jennion.

“It started from a group of people led by Steve and Angie spearheading it all, and they were the visionaries and we came on board,” she said.

Mrs Nichol was instrumental in creating not only the school but also the Coolum Christian International College.

The couple also organised Coolum Beach’s legendary Christmas in the Park events, a Christian surfing group and Coolum Bizfest before they moved to the Philippines in 2012 during their long-service leave.

Angie and Steve Nichol with their five boys in younger years.

“It brought community together, and it fostered acceptance and love and lives transformed,” Ms Daly said.

Mrs Nichol cared for her husband after he was diagnosed with early onset dementia and the couple eventually moved from the Philippines to Brisbane as his condition deteriorated.

He died in 2019.

The couple is survived by their sons Eli, Michael, Zane, Isaac and Jesse.

Her son, Zane, said she even underwent formal training as a carer to ensure she could look after his dad in their home for as long as possible.

Mrs Nichol had plans to travel to Italy to undertake missionary work before her shock diagnosis.

She spoke three languages and Zane said she constantly made connections with people across cultures.

Friend Cindy Barrie said Mrs Nichol was a “wise” woman who gave great advice.

“She was always listening,” she said.

“She was very gentle in her spirit but very strong.

“She was a woman of virtue and clothed herself in dignity.”

Another friend, Melissa Bettenay, said she “loved” Mrs Nichol and called her a “pioneer” who ventured into the unknown.

“Her ability to think outside the four walls was incredible,” she said.

As Mrs Nichol cared for her husband, she also founded the charity, Alleviate, which had the aim of alleviating the suffering and distress of people by providing aid through donations.

“We’re going to try and further that for her,” Zane said.

Long-term friend Helen Lewis said the couple’s door was always open to anyone in need for a cup of tea and friendship.

Originally published as Tributes flow for Coolum Beach Christian College driving force