July 24, 1943 – November 4, 2024

Nicole “Nicki” Preston was born on July 24, 1943, in Montreal, Canada, to Antonio Senecal and Gabrielle Arcand, and took her last breath in the morning of November 4, 2024, at the age of 81. A special thank you to both Jolly and Blessing from La Résidence Belle Vie, for all the love, compassion and empathy you gave my mom; you truly are angels who walk amongst us.

Nicki is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Rick, and her nephew, Kevin. She is survived by her children: Caroline, Jeffrey, Nicholas; grandchildren: Christopher, Justin, Seamus, Jesse, Joshua; sisters: Carol (Richard), Maureen (Chris-d), Nancy (Hal-d); brothers: Rick (d) (Gilda), Malcolm (Louise), Harry (Mary); nieces: Katheryn, Michelle, Sabrina, Meaghan; nephews: Eric, Alex, Rob, Matt, Gabriel, Andrew; with respective families.

Dear Mom,

Forgotten faces and names unable to remember; walking around the places you once knew so well, now fresh for the first time; knowing something is not quite right, but powerless to put your finger on it;  telling yourself that everything is just fine, but yet… doubt lingers; not wanting to reach out and ask for help because you don’t want to be a burden. Your memories fade, and the light in your beautiful eyes dim until the darkness swallows you whole and you forget who you are.  I hate what this disease stole from you. You deserved so much better.

However, this disease does not define who you are. Take my hand one last time and let’s walk down memory lane. I’ll help you to remember through the photos of your life. The peaceful walks by the water with your cherished sister, Carol; the endless boat rides in Kingston; sangria at the Retiro park in Madrid; traveling throughout Europe and visiting all the magnificent wonders; the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage with Justin; Japan, China, Tibet, India, you embraced the world with passion and a joie de vivre.  You are beautiful and intelligent, and you astonish me with your courage.  Living in Japan for over a decade takes a strong and independent woman. You kept your favorite mantra “I believe in Angels, and I believe in miracles” on repeat. You were a volunteer at soup kitchens and in palliative care, always ready with a kind word. You humble me with your gentleness and grace. You fully lived a wonderful life, without regrets, and I am proud of you. It is my honor and privilege to be your daughter. I love you. It’s time now to sleep. The long goodbye is over, and your new journey begins.

Love always, Caroline

My grandmother, Nicky Preston, taught me how to be me. She did this by example. By being herself fully and completely, relentlessly even, the people in her life couldn’t help but learn the important lesson of accepting yourself so that you can love yourself. Only then can you truly accept and love others. I will miss my grandma, but by being myself relentlessly I will keep her spirit alive.

-Justin

My grandmother was known by many for her warmth, kindness, unwavering support and a spirit of curiosity that brought her to all corners of the world. A passionate traveller and adventurer, she lived abroad for several years teaching English in Japan and China and immersed herself in a culture she adored. She travelled with an open heart, sharing stories and experiences that inspired all who knew her. I’ll miss her stories, but her legacy of learning and exploration will live on in her family and all those fortunate enough to know her.

-Christopher

How to describe my Aunt Nicki… strong; adventurous; generous; thoughtful; proud; a loving mother, grandmother, aunt and sister; a teacher.  A woman who embodied the extraordinary independence, stubbornness and perseverance that the women in our family possess, never letting anything stand in the way of what she wanted to achieve and where she wanted to go.  A woman who did not let barriers or life circumstances prevent her from being successful and travelling the world. A woman who greatly impacted and bettered the lives of her students around the world. And yet as I describe her, words somehow fail to encapsulate the full breadth of her life lived and impact made. She is loved and will be dearly missed.

– Katheryn