| In memory of: |
Nicola Baverstock Chapman |
| Message: |
Thoughts of Nic, Nik, Nicky Wed Nov 6, 2024
My family and I first met Nicky when this 17-year-old, tall, gorgeous blond knocked at our cottage door one summer evening. Brother George had met her on the beach and invited her to drop by, which this adventuresome soul did.
George and her fell deeply in love. How could George not?
Nicky became loved by our family, the MacLeans. And George became loved by the Baverstocks.
Some years later Nicky and George decided that it was better to be friends than partners. My brother moved to Hong Kong, then Japan, but they remained close, loving friends.
Before George left, Nicky and he gave my 5-year-old son, Fraser, their little black dog, Reebok. Reebok became my son’s best friend, a wonderful companion. Even now my 36-year-old son’s favourite coffee cup is one with a picture of him & Reebok.
In hindsight, I clearly see Nicky in Reebok. Nicky found him in The County and his first love remained the cottage and the park. Nicky and George trained him together. Reebok was a delightful, happy, kind and gentle little dog. He had a friendly look about him, twinkling eyes and a happy jaunty walk. Strangers immediately could tell that he was friendly. And Reebok befriended many strangers. He loved to take off on his own for adventures in the park, making many new friends along the way (coming home well fed.) When I would eventually go searching for Reebok I would describe him to people in the park – and they would often say “Oh, you mean Reebok?”
Do these qualities sound familiar, like those of a dear friend?
Nicky stayed in touch with Fraser over the years & they too became great friends. When my son had his pre-wedding bachelor party this August, he invited Nicky, the sole female. Over glasses of old scotch Fraser discussed how each person there was important in his life – a cerebral beginning to the event, until the fireworks were broken out. But Nicky had left well before the shenanigans.
I got to know Nic better in 2018 when she came to my cottage to ask me to vote for her. She was running for Counselor. What a great counselor she would have been – intelligent, caring, articulate.
Along with many other friends of hers, I stayed in touch with Nic as she began her next adventure - building her knowledge and understanding of wine, working towards her dream job of Product Consultant. One epic wine tasting event in particular stands out, when Nicky guided my son Fraser, my nephew Angus and I through a world of cabernet sauvignons... The earth certainly was spinning by the end of that evening!! Nicky fretted that she would not be able to differentiate between the many spirits, types of wine and regions. I can still hear the joy in her voice when she called to say that she had passed! She loved her job as Product Consultant. When Nic was on her game, her gifts of listening, her cheerful demeanor and knowledge exemplified the job title. Her second family – we MacLeans - urged her to create labels called “Nik’s Picks” to guide shoppers to the best wines.
When I had my own challenges in 2020 Nic helped me feel better about the world and myself. She had a special gift of listening, offering insightful and kind responses. Nic was incredibly intelligent. She used her intellect gently, in a way that you only felt slightly intimidated, or to articulately make a point that she felt deeply about. She made you feel special. I’m sure that each of you who has taken the time to read this note about Nicky experienced these wonderful qualities of hers.
My 95-year-old father, Doug MacLean, loved Nicky too. He asked me to convey his deepest condolences to the family, along with our own condolences and to explain how special a part of our family she was.
Nic, Nik, Nicky - on behalf of the MacLean family, especially my brother George,, myself and Fraser, we say a very sad farewell. Life ended far too soon for you. God bless you. You will always hold a special place in each of our hearts.
You were very loved!! We will never forget you!!!
Don MacLean for George, Fraser, Doug, Cindy Wilson and the MacLean Family
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