Emiliana Perez Nichols

Emiliana “Lani” Perez Hiton Nichols, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away after a long battle with cancer on February 22, 2023, at the age of 87. Lani was born in Agana, Guam on July 21, 1935, to Nathaniel and Delgadina Perez Hiton.

Lani lived in New Bern, North Carolina, where she devoted her life to her family, friends, and neighbors. She was born on an occupied island during World War II, but her survival instilled her spirit of faith, love, and adventure. She graduated from George Washington High School in Guam.

“Mrs. Nick”, met the love of her life, Fred, while working at the Base Exchange in Guam. Fred, who was serving in the Air Force, swept her off her feet, and they married in Guam on August 10th,1958. They eventually found their home in North Carolina where Lani retired from North Carolina Natural Gas after 25 years of service. Lani and Fred would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this August. Their unwavering devotion to each other was a true testament to the enduring power of love and their love story will continue to inspire future generations.

Lani is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, who will deeply miss her, and her brothers, Howard (Cathy) Hiton and Frank Hiton.

She is also survived by her two daughters, Patricia (Mark) Tomaszewski of Harrison, TN, and Lynne (Brian) Hartley of Swansboro, NC. Lani was the perfect example of a loving and devoted mother to her daughters, Patty, and Lynne. She instilled in them the values of hard work, kindness, and family. Her love for them knew no bounds.

She was a proud “Nana” to her two grandchildren, Nick (Katie) Tomaszewski of Cadiz, KY and Katelynne Watson of Swansboro, NC. Nana had a special place in the hearts of her grandchildren, Nick, and Katelynne. She was always there for them, both in their childhood and adulthood. Nana's love for family was unwavering, and her devotion to her two grandchildren was no exception. As children, Nick and Katelynne cherished their time with Nana. She had a way of making every moment special, whether it was traveling the country in their RV or making homemade cookies. Nana’s love for her grandchildren was unconditional, and they always knew they could count on her for comfort, support, and guidance. Nana also adored her three great-grandchildren, Lilly, Jackson, and Harper, and they held a special place in her heart. She cherished every moment she spent with them, no matter how far apart they were, and she had a very strong bond with each of them. She loved cooking and baking with Lilly and most recently shared her secrets to the perfect Thanksgiving turkey and dressing with her. She was always up for a sword fight with Jackson, and Harper's playful nature always brought a smile to her face.

Lani always looked forward to the holidays, and she loved nothing more than to spoil her family and friends with homemade cookies and candies at Christmas. She would spend weeks preparing for the holiday season. Her Christmas village and Nativity was a sight to behold and would have won awards for its intricacy and attention to detail.

You could always find Lani in her yard, adding her touch to make it as beautiful as it is. She took great pride in her flowers and enjoyed sharing them with friends and family. Fred and Lani attended the community watch meetings regularly and were very involved in helping with the National Night Out events over the years. They also had great love for the "Rhode Island Reds", her lunch buddies, and the pool and gym friends. She loved crafting, sewing, and crocheting and always had a craft project going on for any holiday or just because. She loved sitting on the porch, waving at neighbors, or having fun talks and lots of belly laughs on the bench under the shade tree in her front yard or on the tailgate of Fred's truck. She would proudly share pictures and tell stories of her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She loved to share her & Fred's life's memories - their wedding day and their love for each other, cruises, RV trips, and stories of the kids they volunteered their time with at JT Barber School.

Lani was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. She was strong in her faith so no doubt she's in heaven dancing with the angels!

Lani’s passing has left a void in the lives of all who knew her, but her memory will be cherished forever. Her family will always remember her loving spirit, her warm embrace, and her dedication to her family and friends. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on through her family and the countless lives she touched.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at Cotten Funeral Home from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 1:00 PM at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 3005 Country Club Rd. New Bern, NC. She will be laid to rest at Greenleaf Memorial Park Cemetery following the service. Online condolences can be made to www.cottenfuneralhome.com.