Obituary of Beverly Anne Nickens

Beverly Anne (Auringer) Nickens passed away peacefully at her home in Fairfax, VA on Friday, November 22, 2013.Mrs. Nickens was born on November 9, 1933 in Faribault, MN to the late Ralph R. Auringer and Harriet (Harmon) Auringer. She was predeceased by her second husband Herbert P. Nickens in 2008. She was married to the late Edgar H. Melia for 23 years and is survived by five children: Brenda A. Senseney (Greg) of Knoxville, MD; Hugh A. Melia (Kathleen) of Gaithersburg, MD; Ronald D. Melia (Konnie) of Chesapeake City, MD; R. Eric Melia of Manassas, VA and Linda M. Capoccia (Andrew) of Stephenson, VA; grandsons Aaron Dooley, James A. Melia (Shannon), and great-granddaughter Taylor Melia; brothers Ralph Auringer, Jr. (Laverne) of Carson City, NV; Eugene (Lois) of Austin, MN; Duane (Patricia) of Seattle, WA; Arlen (Lynn) of Watauga, TX; sister-in-law Edythe Auringer of Greenville, TX; 3 step grandchildren and numerous, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by brother Robert Auringer and sister Kay Digner. She will be missed by many friends, neighbors, aides and especially her good friend Nila Jain.Beverly lived a long and happy life, was a caring and generous person. She retired from U.S. Geological Survey in 1985 as a negative map engraver. The U.S.G.S. was where she met her second husband Herbert and they had over thirty happy years together.Beverly was a founding member of Unity of Fairfax, a member of the Vienna Arts Society (Vienna, VA), member of Sons of Norway (Fairfax), and 25-year volunteer at INOVA Thrift Center, Fairfax. She was an excellent artist, discovering her talent with oils after trying several different mediums. Her original paintings, portraits, miniatures, and copies of old masters have been sold around the United States. She had a proud moment when two of her miniatures were selected to be hung at the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, DC International miniature show.She loved identifying with her Norwegian roots and enjoyed baking ethnic foods, especially Scandinavian cookies and breads for the holidays.A memorial service to celebrate her long and happy life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA 22124. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.