NICOLA MASSEY
ABOUT THE LIFE OF
About Nikki
Born in Poole 28/12/67 - Nicola Michelle Collins
A beautiful fun-loving lady with a great sense of humour and an infectious smile.
Nikki worked as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Poole A&E a job she loved, she was well
respected by her work colleagues.
She loved to spend quality time socialising with her family and numerous friends especially with the odd glass of prosecco.
She rowed regularly with the Weymouth Rowing club she enjoyed walking her dog Maggie, holidaying abroad or away on their boat down the west country.
What happened
In 2015 Nikki had a routine op to remove a small mole on her left thigh, initially thought to be benign it was later discovered that it had in fact been malignant,
she was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer ‘Metastatic Melanoma’ (possibly a result of sunbathing in her child hood) Another operation, followed with radiation treatment, and a new immune therapy treatment (aimed at boosting the immune system to fight the cancer cells) for a while things seemed to stabilise and some of the cancer tumours even began to shrink.
In August 2017 after returning from a sailing holiday in the west country with Husband Nick she went for what we thought was a routine consultation.
In fact, our world was about to be ripped apart,
we sat in Southampton hospital and listened in disbelief to the news that tumours had spread to her brain and there was now no effective treatment that would save her life and she was given only months to live.
Sadly, Nikki’s health deteriorated quickly and on the 2nd of October 2017 she passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family and close friends. She was 49.
The Stone
Nikki loved to spend time on Ringstead beach or walk the coast path between Ringstead and Osmington with the dog often stopping in the smugglers for some refreshment.
It was at this very spot on Christmas eve 2016 that Nick asked Nikki to be his wife. Naturally she agreed. Sadly, she wasn’t to see her 1st wedding anniversary. A year later on Dec 28th, 2017 we spread her ashes over the cliff at this very spot it would have been her 50th Birthday.
Originally the stone was in front of the fence just back from the path but we were instructed by Dorset county council to remove it.
Fortunately, the local land owner of the field behind came the rescue and allowed us to relocate it in his field approximately a metre back from its original position. He was a kind and true gentleman.
Family
Nikki loved spending time with her family she was the proud mother to 4 children Becky, Dan and twins Natalie and Bethany and step mother to Jenna and Hanna. Married to Nick (together for 15 years) and of course, her beloved dog Maggie who still loves to run along this bit of coast path.
Photos
