Nicoll "Niki" Plumstead

PLUMSTEAD, Margaret Nicoll (“Niki”)

Peacefully passed away on Sunday August 30, 2020 at the North Bay Regional Health Centre at the age of 85 years. Beloved wife of Arthur William Plumstead “Bill”. Loving mother to Bryan Plumstead (Suzan Tenwesteneind), Peggy Plumstead (Gary McLeod), and David Plumstead ( Audrey Tenwesteneind). Cherished grandmother to Annette, Theo, Paul-David, Hannah, Ross, Lindsay, Desmond and great grandmother to Xavier, Alexandre, William, Rose, and Leo. Nicoll was predeceased by her parents Willard and Peggy Cleary. Nicoll is also sister to Dosse Field (Gord -deceased) and the Aunt of Colin Field (Melissa) and Greg Field –deceased (Dianne). In keeping with Nicoll’s wishes cremation will occur at Whispering Pines Funeral Home with a private graveside ceremony for immediate family at Whispering Pines Cemetery in Temagami. If desired, donations are suggested to the Temagami Community Foundation and would be greatly acknowledged by the family. Online donations and condolences may be made at www.mcguintyfuneralhome.com

Born in Ottawa in 1934, Niki lead a rich, diverse, and fulfilling life which includes an amazing love story with her husband (Bill) and a place named Temagami. As the story goes, Bill was stuffed up against a back wall in a large amphitheater during frosh week at the University of Western Ontario in 1952, when he spotted Niki a few seats below and sparks ignited. He proposed to her a month later and she quickly accepted, fearing Bill “might change his mind.” Niki and Bill were married a few years later (1955) in a double ceremony with Niki’s sister Dosse and her fiancé Gordon Field.

With their wedding proceeds (which luckily was more money than silverware) Niki and Bill went on to purchase the Island of their dreams on Lake Temagami which would play an increasingly important role in their lives. After years of summer visits to the Island and cottage with their family, Niki and Bill’s love for the area continued to deepen and they decided to make the permanent move to Temagami. Niki would go on to become a lodge and marina owner and operator, supply teacher, and local politician. As a Temagami councilor and Deputy Reeve, Niki had a large impact on the local community and was instrumental in the development of seniors housing in Temagami and the Whispering Pines Cemetery, which fittingly would become her final resting spot many years later. Niki also held other various public appointments during this time, including sitting on the Temagami Comprehensive Planning Council, chairing the Nipissing District Social Services Board, and as a Director on the Au Chateau Board in Sturgeon Falls. Later in life after Niki and Bill had moved to North Bay for other pursuits, she would go on to work for H&R Block as a tax preparer, followed by her appointment to the Assessment Review Board of Ontario where her work was recognized by the Attorney General.

This love story of 65 years will continue to live on through Niki's children, grandchildren, and “greats” (great grandchildren). Niki will be dearly missed by the family and friends whose lives she so profoundly touched, but undoubtedly will be with them in their thoughts and memories forever.