Joan M. Nichols

Joan Marie Nichols, born January 13, 1933, age 86, of North Myrtle Beach, SC, affectionately known as (Tootsie), passed away on June 29th 2019.

Born in Bridgeport CT, Joan was predeceased by her first husband, Donald C. Schroeder Sr., of 45 years and predeceased by her second husband, Charles (Nick) T. Nichols, of 10 years. Joan is the daughter of the late Angeline (Quattone) (Nastasia) MacLean and John M. Nastasia Sr. Joan was also predeceased by her stepfather, Donald MacLean, her beloved Aunt Mildred "Millie" LaVarno and grandmother, Mary (Lombard) (Quattone) Marone.

Joan is survived by her brothers, John Nastasia Jr. and wife Ann of Shelton, CT, Robert Nastasia and wife Pikun of Bridgeport, CT. Joan is also survived by her children, Linda and her husband Scott Morgenstein, Donald Schroeder Jr. and his wife June, Cindy and her husband Steve Moore; her beloved grandchildren, Richard Morgenstein and his wife Kristen, Donald Schroeder, III and his wife Anna, John Schroeder and his wife April, Benjamin Lacy and his wife Olivia and Alissa Lacy and fiance', Jason Tabor; in addition, great grandchildren, Cash and Roy Lacy, Nathaniel, Alessia and Silas Schroeder; and many nieces and nephews.

Joan attended dance classes while in grammar school and, she, along with her musician dad joined the Buddy Barnes U.S.O. show and they entertained Veteran's in the hospital. While in her junior year at high school she became a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. She did her first tour that year, as well as, in her 12th year of high school. She was accepted at the University of Bridgeport with a major in music, also teaching ballroom dancing at Arthur Murray's dance studio while working as a waitress, to save up enough money for college classes, and was a hostess at University of Bridgeport. She met Donald C. Schroeder, Sr. while working at the Beach Mont Ice Cream Shop and fell in love. Love changed her life path and becoming a wife and mother took presidency over dancing, so she went on to become a Beautician and graduated from Leon Institute for Beauty Culture She managed Lane's Beauty Salon and helped others start their own beauty shops. She furthered her education by getting her teaching certificate from the state and taught Beauty Theory classes at night school, until she eventually opened her own Beauty Parlor called Joan Marie's, which she enjoyed for 20 years. Her talent and love for the Arts, never ceased, creating beautiful paintings, needle points, stained glass and ceramics. Joan loved and enjoyed the beaches in South Carolina for many years before calling South Carolina home, upon retirement. Always the optimist never knowing what exciting adventure lay ahead. Her lasts words of advice, "Keep on Dancing".

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 in Lee Funeral Home Chapel.

A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.