Extracted from The Beaumont Enterprise (Beaumont, TX)
Thursday, September 16, 2004

Nicole Leeann Golias
September 28, 1984 - September 13, 2004

Nicole Leeann Golias, died Monday, September 13, 2004, at the age of 19 in Newton, Texas. She was the daughter of Donald Mark Golias and Lori Roschau Golias.

She was born September 29, 1984, in Beaumont, Texas. She spent four years in classes at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation in Beaumont before becoming a student at the Hughen School in Port Arthur, Texas in 1991. In 1997 she became a resident of Shady Acres Nursing Home in Newton, attending the Special Skills Classes in the Newton Independent School District.

``Nikki'', as she was known to her loving family, was a gift to the hearts of all who knew her. Her courage and gentle spirit touched our lives with inspiration. We were awed by her tenacity. Her simple acceptance of God's timetable showed us faith and patience. She was everybody's baby, and a blessing to each of her multitude of caretakers and teachers, leaving joy wherever she had been.

Nikki leaves behind her parents, Mark and stepmother, Margaret Robinson Golias; a brother, Michael Ovay Golias ; stepmother, Darlene Walker Golias; stepsisters, Taryn and Rachael Robinson; grandparents, Tipton and Ann Golias; and great grandparents, Ovay and Mildred Mayes, Tomas and Karleen Golias, and Theron Varvil. She leaves her aunts and uncles, Joe and Sue Golias, Wendy Golias and Karla and Paul Falgout; and cousins, Buffin, Lee, Brooke, Zack, Andrew, Jennie, Matthew and Thomas. She leaves great-aunts and uncles, Lynn Gamblin, Karol and Bob Deem and Adrianne Golias.

Heartfelt and passionate appreciation goes to the staff of Shady Acres Nursing Home who nurtured and sustained us and loved Nikki as she deserved. Barbara Morris, Dee Silas, Robin Brooks, Janice Gaston, Christina Lott, Laurie Lott, Reba Lopez, Jeffery Robinson, Shirley Shelton, Linda Wood, Rose Burnett, Dana Galloway, Kristin Myers, Cortney Glover, Kristi Hartsfield, Julia Land, Sharon Allen, Cynthia Thomas, Tina Herrin, Kathy Truett, Angie Tippett, Maria Hillard, Barnestine Ray, and Kim Hawthorne were especially devoted to her and we are forever grateful. We also wish to thank her special teacher, Linda Matzke.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 17, 2004 at Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont followed by burial in Magnolia Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday evening, September 16, 2004 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Mortuary.

Memorials may be sent to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. P.O. Box 8923, New Fairfield, Connecticut 06812-8923.

I'll Lend You For A Little Time A Child I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine." He Said. "For you to love while she lives, and mourn for when she's dead It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three. But will you, till I call her back, Take care of her for Me? She'll bring her charms to gladden you, and shall her stay be brief, You'll have her lovely memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth return. But there are lessons taught down there I want this children to learn. I've looked the wide world over in search for teachers true. And from the throngs that crowd life's lane, I have selected you. Now will you give her all your love, Not think the labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to call, to take her back again? I fancied that I heard them say: " Dear Lord, They will be done. For all the joy Thy child shall bring, The risk of grief we'll run We'll shelter her with tenderness, we'll love her while we may; And for the happiness we've known, Forever grateful stay. But shall the angels call for her Much sooner than we planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, And try to understand." Edgar A. Guest