Jennie Nickerson Tierney

Jennie Nickerson Tierney

May 22, 1957-April 30, 2025

Jennie Nickerson Tierney died peacefully in her sleep on April 30th in Parker, CO, while visiting her son Payden and daughter-in-law Kate to celebrate her grandson Kian's first birthday. We are heartbroken by her loss, but grateful she was with loved ones who brought her great joy.

Jennie was born in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Mary Mueller Nickerson and Eugene White Nickerson III, and the middle sister to Nancy Nickerson and Ellen Bernard. She grew up in Scarsdale, New York and it was in New York City that she met David Tierney. They made a life together that took them from Boston, Massachusetts to East Granby, Connecticut where she worked as a teacher's aide and later in a medical practice. The center of her world was always her two children, Payden and Haley, whom she loved with all her heart.

Jennie was a vivacious spirit with a warmth that put others at ease and a laugh that invited everyone around her to join in. Her exuberance and playful energy made her a natural in hospitality where she truly thrived. She cared deeply for all the people in her life; family, friends, and even those she'd only just met. Her love also extended to the many dogs who found their way into her home over the years, each one welcomed with the same open heart.

Jennie experienced many hardships in her life, including the loss of her daughter Haley in an accident in 2013 and, more recently, a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. Throughout it all, she found a way to laugh and to bring joy to everyone she encountered.

She is survived by her son Payden Tierney, daughter-in-law Kate Tierney, and grandson Kian, as well as her mother Mary Mueller Nickerson, sister Nancy Nickerson, brother-in-law Stephen Frietch, nephew John Maxwell Frietch, sister Ellen Nickerson Bernard, brother-in-law Edward Bernard, nephews David Meade Bernard and Christopher Whitten Bernard, his wife Freya Zaheer, and their children Cyrus, Raza, and Kai. Her family wishes to express deep gratitude to her wonderful aide Karen Ortiz, who cared for Jennie with dedication for several years.

The family invites you to join them in celebrating Jennie’s life on Friday, June 19, at 5:00 pm at Metro Bis restaurant located at 690 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, CT 06070.

Donations in her memory can be made to D’Amour Center for Cancer of Baystate Health Foundation, online at: https://www.baystatehealth/foundation or mailed to the Southwick Animal Shelter at 11 Depot Street, Southwick MA 01077.