June 21, 1938—May 21, 2025
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Linda Nicholson, who went peacefully to God on May 21, 2025, at St. John of God Care Center in Los Angeles. She was 86 years of age.
A Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 68 years. Sister Linda was the youngest daughter of Embert and Maybelle Nicholson, sister to Mary Anne (Sister Anne Nicholson, CSJ) and Sandy Allendorf. She is the aunt of Michael (who married Mona), Terry (who married Rick), Mary (who married David), Chris (who married Rosyln), and nine grand-nieces and nephews. Linda had that gift of remembering every occasion of her family and friends and her cards brought many a smile to those she loved over the years.
Linda was born in San Jose, California, on June 21, 1938. But her heart became attached to San Francisco. This “Star of the Sea” girl cringed whenever anyone referred to this sacred city as “Frisco”. San Francisco was her playground, and Fort Point was her favorite spot. This was the city that nurtured her vocation, and the city her family called home for many years. This is the city where she fell in love with the Sisters of St. Joseph community, such joyful and dedicated women.
After high school, Linda entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 15, 1956, and received the habit on March 19, 1957. She pronounced her final vows in 1954. She received her bachelor of arts degree in 1960, master’s degree in education in 1972 and her master’s degree in administration in 1974, thus beginning her ministry in education, which lasted for more than 55 years.
We religious know that all things work together for good for those who love God. This well-educated woman went forth to each mission with a listening ear, a forgiving and understanding heart, a love for challenge and organization and lived her own words of wisdom: ALL IS POSSIBLE!
Her missions built that strength of character that she carried so well—from Canoga Park to Lewiston, Idaho, to Torrance to Los Angeles back to Canoga Park to San Jose to Newport Beach and then to Banning and the Diocese of San Bernardino. There, she ended up forming principals, teachers and pastors, along with staying current with what is best for our children and youth in our schools. Whether she was pitching a ball on the field or organizing a project or lesson, students found this principal to be challenging and caring deeply for each and every one of them.
Sister Linda was such a faithful companion and mentor, listening with her big heart and having the wisdom to pull the best out of all those she worked with and for. Truly a woman of wisdom and courage, a faithful friend and community woman, a true Sister of St. Joseph!
She often quoted Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis and used their writings during her leadership years. She delighted in working with great leaders in our church: Bishop Mike Driscoll, Bishop Gerald R. Barnes, Bishop del Riego and Msgr. Tom Wallace. Truth be told, they loved working with such a gifted and strong woman and relied on her honesty and truth. Her organizational skills and generosity got Linda on many a committee! The words “no” or “I can’t” were not a part of her daily vocabulary!
The Diocese of San Bernardino, California, shared this tribute to Sister Linda:
Sister Linda Nicholson, a Sister of St. Joseph of St. Joseph of Carondelet who held several key positions of leadership in the Catholic schools of the diocese over 35 years of ministry, was called to eternal rest on May 21 at the age of 86. Sr. Linda served as a teacher and then principal of two Catholic schools in the diocese before moving into diocesan education and formation ministries. She came to the diocese in 1985 to serve as eighth grade teacher at Precious Blood School in Banning. Seven years later she was named principal of St. Mary Regional School in Apple Valley and during her tenure there was named a Distinguished Principal of the Year by the diocese. In 2001, she was named principal of Sacred Heart Academy in Redlands where she worked tirelessly to boost enrollment, foster academic achievement and strengthen Catholic identity. She was named an Associate Superintendent in the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools in 2012, a post she held for five years. In 2017, Bishop Gerald Barnes asked Sr. Linda to lead a new ministry of Mission Integration, designed to help all Church employees live out and model their Catholic faith in their everyday work. Together with her longtime friend and companion, Sister Sara Kane, CSJ, Sr. Linda ended her years of active ministry in the diocese in 2020. … Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon her.
Linda had one hobby that made so many happy to be recipients of her rosaries. Today her rosaries are all over the world in praying hands! Many a fundraiser was blessed to have her rosaries available. She also loved gardening; that lady was blessed with a green thumb for roses! Her puttering in the rose garden was her delight and sacred space on weekends. What a blessed life! What a blessed religious—a CSJ to the core! What a blessed friend.
In 2022, her health needed attention, and she moved out of San Bernardino to be with our sisters at Carondelet Center in Los Angeles. Eventually, she moved to St. John of God Retirement and Care Center for more assistance. Her ministry of joyful response and gratitude were with her daily in these moves. She graciously accepted the help she needed from a caring staff. Her dementia heightened and God called her home on May 21, 2025.
We are better because this great lady was a part of our lives. Let us rejoice and praise the Lord, who welcomes Sister Linda home: Well done, good and faithful daughter of St. Joseph. Well done!
Funeral services for Sister Linda will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Chapel at Carondelet Center, 11999 Chalon Rd. in Los Angeles.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Los Angeles Province, 11999 Chalon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90049 or donate online.