Yvonne Nickles

Yvonne “Vonnie” Wichlep Nickles RN was granted peace by her Lord on June 2, 2026, at her daughter’s home with her daughter and sister by her side. She was surrounded by many friends, co-workers and family in her last days who shared tears and laughter over memories and adventures while toasting her with her favorite cocktail.

A sixth-generation Texan, Yvonne was born to Joan Marie and Fred Wichlep III in Houston, TX, on July 20, 1956. Her father’s work moved the family to Pasadena, TX, Tarrytown, NY, East Brunswick, NJ, and Charlotte, NC. After returning to Houston, Yvonne graduated from Westchester High School in 1974. She began her college studies at Middle Tennessee State University, later earning an Associates Degree in Nursing at Antelope Valley College, Lancaster, CA. Yvonne earned a BS in Psychology from the University of Houston and a Masters in Health Education and Healthcare Administration from Texas State University.

Yvonne’s passion and calling was nursing, having served many capacities in healthcare over her 40 year career including RN Regional Staff Development Director with First American Homecare, RN ICU Director and RN Staffing Coordinator with Methodist Healthcare, and Quality Director and Risk Manager at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital in San Antonio. She acquired both CPPS and CPHRM certifications.

An enthusiastic traveler, Yvonne reveled in her trips with family and friends to her favorite destinations of New Orleans, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., New York City and her family’s ancestral home, Galveston. An avid sci-fi enthusiast, she also delighted in tv mysteries, House Hunters, Harry Potter and Barbies. But nothing could compare with the time she treasured with her grandsons, Parker and Bodhi. Just one month before her passing, she celebrated her last Mass while witnessing Bodhi’s First Holy Communion.

Yvonne was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, March 2020. Despite two brain surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy and many miles of travel to MD Anderson Houston, Yvonne remained steadfast in the teachings of her Catholic faith and belief in the promises of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin, always wearing the Green Scapular of Our Lady. Her stubborn reluctance to allow cancer to get in the way of fun, travel, Happy Hours, time with grandsons or nursing became legendary, and with the unrelenting care of her doctors at MD Anderson Spine and Brain Center Houston, especially Dr. Shiao-Pei Weathers, she was able to forge ahead and be an active, loving and contributing force six years past diagnosis. The family also extends their gratitude to Christopher Bogaev, M.D., Vijay Gunuganti, M.D. and Guiding Light Hospice.

Survivors include her loving husband of 36 years Don Nickles, her devoted daughter Rachel and husband Andy, precious grandsons Parker and Bodhi Silvas; father Fred Wichlep III; stepdaughters Donnell Squires (Dave) and Kim Heinen (Steve), step grandsons Eric and Sean Squires and Troy and Logan Heinen; sisters Sharon Strickland (Allen) and Lauren Wichlep; nephews Christopher Strickland (Megan Elizabeth) and Joseph Strickland (Stephanie); great-nephews Joseph and James Strickland; uncle John B. Wichlep, cousins Julie Griffice and Stephen Wichlep. Pam Hovey, Debbie Duke, Paula Walker and her numerous friends at Methodist Stone Oak must also be included among family.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Joan Marie Viaclovsky Reuss, and by her grandparents, Theo and Bessie Viaclovsky and Mary Virginia and Fred Wichlep II. Yvonne is also predeceased by her loyal and loving companions: Sam, Samantha, Wiley, Baby, Junior, Minnie, Daisy, Rosie and Violet to name a few.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 10703 Wurzbach Road, where she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Matthew #2241. Visitation at 9:15 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and a Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00 am., officiated by Fr. Eric Ritter, Pastor and Chaplain of the Catholic Daughters. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery followed by a reception at The Club of Garden Ridge.

Pallbearers are Karl “Andy” Oyler, Allen Strickland, Christopher Strickland, Joseph Strickland, Louis Silvas and Mark Allen Burgess. Honorary Pallbearers are Parker and Bodhi Silvas and Troy and Logan Heinen, The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Matthew #2241 and the Quality Department of Methodist Stone Oak Hospital.

Donations may be made in Yvonne’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.