Porta J. Nickles

     Porta J. Nickles, age 107, passed away on April 11, 2023, in Great Falls, Virginia. She was born on February 15, 1916, in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, to Greek immigrants Evangelos and Stella Lemberakis, who hailed from Sparta, Greece. Porta was fluent in Greek, both written and spoken.

    On November 7, 1937, Porta married John Nickles in Middletown, New York. She worked as a teaching assistant for over 30 years at Chorley Elementary School in Middletown, where she was a beloved member of the faculty. When Porta retired at the age of 87, she was honored as the oldest teacher’s aide in New York State. Porta was also a teaching assistant at the local Greek school.

    An accomplished cook, Porta enjoyed preparing traditional Greek dishes and pastries, and was known for her famous spanakopita and apple pie. Porta was also known for her love of dancing, particularly to the song "YMCA," and was always seen with a smile on her face. She enjoyed nothing more than watching the television show "Dancing with the Stars" and would often share her opinions on the performances with her friends and family.

    Porta had a passion for traveling and loved meeting people. Wherever she travelled, be it Rome or London or Vancouver, or even Honolulu, her smile and positive attitude brightened the day of everyone she crossed paths with.

    She was an active member of the community and belonged to the Greek Ladies Philoptochos, the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Middletown Business and Professional Women’s Club. She also took classes at Orange County Community College through their Enore program. During her later years, Porta made many friends and was a treasured member of the Brightview Assisted Living community in Great Falls, Virginia.

    Porta was preceded in death by her husband John Nickles, her parents, Evangelos and Stella Lemberakis, her siblings John Lemberakis, Nellie Tozzi, and Nicholas Lemberakis, and son-in-law Robert Bankel. She is survived by her children Peter (Maria) Nickles, Joan (Nico Cilenti) Nickles, and Evan Nickles; her grandchildren John (Shelley) Nickles, Cassandra (Anthony) Rinaldi, Philip (Laura) Nickles, Charisse Mihalakos, and Aletta (Rob) Martin; nine great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

    A wake will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, 26 Grove St., Middletown, New York, followed by a funeral service at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 2250 Goshen Turnpike, Middletown, New York. The burial will be in Wallkill Cemetery.

    In lieu of flowers, donations in Porta's memory can be made to the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Middletown, New York.

    Porta J. Nickles will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Her unwavering positivity and wonderful loving spirit were truly unique, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all those she touched with her kindness and love.

    Arrangements have been entrusted to Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Middletown, NY. 

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