Debra Nickels

Debra Rae Nickels passed peacefully in her sleep Friday, May 24, 2024 at the age of 69.

Born in Omaha March 3, 1955, Debra refused her entire life to be defined by the constraints she was subject to, always seeking and finding great friends, unique beauty, disparate knowledge, and meaningful causes. She enjoyed a successful career as an attorney while at the same time prioritizing her children. She loved both her work and her family immensely. After being forced into early retirement for medical reasons, she worked with refugees to help them learn English, to learn to live in their new homes, and to establish a community garden. She had a boundless curiosity about the world and an appetite for new experiences and traveled extensively for as long as she was able.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Dian Chastain Rizzo. She is survived by her brother, David Chastain; her sons Dylan (Lisa), Colin (Abigail), and Carson (Avery); her three grandchildren, Milo, Clementine, and Annabel; and her loving dog Zoe.

A memorial will be held on Friday, June 7 at 3:30 PM at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, Rooms 107 and 109. Debra’s favorite causes include UNICEF, Amnesty International, and Doctors Without Borders.