Obituary for Tomka Nicolich
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” - Psalm 116:15
An amazingly positive, loving, and generous woman, known to many as “Baba”, Tomka Nicolich, 85 of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away peacefully on March 7, 2022 surrounded by her family.
Tomka was born in the village of Bouf, Greece to Kuzman and Lenka Kostoff on September 10, 1936. She spent the first 9 years of her life with her parents and brother, Done`, in Bouf until the civil war broke out in Greece. She was one of many children taken to Poland where she lived in an orphanage, and although challenged by adversity in her childhood years, Tomka found life’s blessings in years to come when she was reunited with her family in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 18. She recalls that time being one of the happiest in her life. The blessings continued when she met and married the love of her life, the Honorable Judge Paul Nicolich on July 22, 1962 and together they created a home here in Battle Creek with their 4 children. Her family was most definitely her greatest joy. Whether it be simple meals, holiday gatherings, or other life events, any occasion to get together with her family was so very special to her and she made certain that everyone felt loved. With a full heart and nurturing hands, she cared for and fed others like it was her life’s mission. She had a secret ingredient that wasn’t so secret…it was all packed with BABA LOVE. Her unwavering faith was evident in her desire and willingness to serve others. She was a devoted Orthodox Christian at St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church, where she was a member for over 50 years. She often said that her church was her 2nd home.
On any given day, you would find Baba in her kitchen baking one of her signature pastries. She had the most beautiful feet that stood for hours in her kitchen as she prepared food for others, walked a thousand miles in her travels or simply around her neighborhood, and danced to her beloved Macedonian music. She had a sweet tooth and shared her gift of baking as often as she could to connect with neighbors, friends, and family. Whether you were a regular recipient of her treats, or perhaps had a chance to try her baklava from the bakery, you experienced a part of her sweetness, in food and in spirit.
If she wasn’t baking, she was watching one of her favorite sports’ teams (MSU “GO Green-GO White”, Harper Creek, or any professional Detroit team) or watching her favorite athletes (her kids) in their younger years. She was an avid sports fan and if, by chance, you called her while she was watching one of her teams…well…you better call her back because she didn’t want to miss a minute.
She was a proud Macedonian American and for those of us that were blessed to be loved by Tomka, our lives are rich with custom and tradition. She was one in a million and heaven has been elevated by her arrival.
As most eloquently said by her friend, Nina (Pogudina) Ledford in a comforting message to her family, “God knows that being an immigrant comes with many sacrifices. With my family being thousands of miles away, he sends many wonderful people into my life. Tomka had been an adopted grandmother for my children and me for over two decades. She had been ‘sunshine’ in many people’s lives. She LIVED and she LOVED as Christ told us to. She always greeted us with her open arms, and she had very special feelings for my mama, Liudmila, as she reminded her of her mother. I feel so blessed that this remarkable and beautiful lady touched my family with her loving presence. Tomka will always be in our thoughts and prayers. Love lives forever…”
Our mother, Tomka, often said “If you can help someone, do it! If you can do good…do good.”
Tomka was preceded in death by her husband: the Honorable Judge Paul Nicolich; parents: Kuzman and Lenka Kostoff; brother: Done` Kostoff; In-laws: Dime and Boica Nicolich; Sisters-in-law: Menka (Nick) Gulaboff and Luba (Mito) Ilich; Nephew: John Michael Ilich.
Tomka is survived by her children: Leni (Kevin) Nicolich-Foster, Paula (Donald) Nicolich-Kizer, Lori Nicolich, and Alex (Robin) Nicolich; Grandchildren: Ashley (Nick) Sager, Alex (Wilder) Chandler, Harrison Foster, Theo Kizer, Gabi Kizer, Keagan and Kaden Nicolich; Great- grandchildren: Addelyn, Owen, and Maisie Sager, Harper and Wilder Chandler; Sister-in-law: Fredricka (Done`) Kostoff; Brother-in-law: John (Milica) Nicolich; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tomka’s memory to St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church.
Visitation arrangements are being made through Baxter Funeral Home and funeral services will be held at St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church. Please visit Baxter’s website at baxterfuneral.com, or contact Baxter Funeral Home at 269.788.9800
An amazingly positive, loving, and generous woman, known to many as “Baba”, Tomka Nicolich, 85 of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away peacefully on March 7, 2022 surrounded by her family.
Tomka was born in the village of Bouf, Greece to Kuzman and Lenka Kostoff on September 10, 1936. She spent the first 9 years of her life with her parents and brother, Done`, in Bouf until the civil war broke out in Greece. She was one of many children taken to Poland where she lived in an orphanage, and although challenged by adversity in her childhood years, Tomka found life’s blessings in years to come when she was reunited with her family in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 18. She recalls that time being one of the happiest in her life. The blessings continued when she met and married the love of her life, the Honorable Judge Paul Nicolich on July 22, 1962 and together they created a home here in Battle Creek with their 4 children. Her family was most definitely her greatest joy. Whether it be simple meals, holiday gatherings, or other life events, any occasion to get together with her family was so very special to her and she made certain that everyone felt loved. With a full heart and nurturing hands, she cared for and fed others like it was her life’s mission. She had a secret ingredient that wasn’t so secret…it was all packed with BABA LOVE. Her unwavering faith was evident in her desire and willingness to serve others. She was a devoted Orthodox Christian at St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church, where she was a member for over 50 years. She often said that her church was her 2nd home.
On any given day, you would find Baba in her kitchen baking one of her signature pastries. She had the most beautiful feet that stood for hours in her kitchen as she prepared food for others, walked a thousand miles in her travels or simply around her neighborhood, and danced to her beloved Macedonian music. She had a sweet tooth and shared her gift of baking as often as she could to connect with neighbors, friends, and family. Whether you were a regular recipient of her treats, or perhaps had a chance to try her baklava from the bakery, you experienced a part of her sweetness, in food and in spirit.
If she wasn’t baking, she was watching one of her favorite sports’ teams (MSU “GO Green-GO White”, Harper Creek, or any professional Detroit team) or watching her favorite athletes (her kids) in their younger years. She was an avid sports fan and if, by chance, you called her while she was watching one of her teams…well…you better call her back because she didn’t want to miss a minute.
She was a proud Macedonian American and for those of us that were blessed to be loved by Tomka, our lives are rich with custom and tradition. She was one in a million and heaven has been elevated by her arrival.
As most eloquently said by her friend, Nina (Pogudina) Ledford in a comforting message to her family, “God knows that being an immigrant comes with many sacrifices. With my family being thousands of miles away, he sends many wonderful people into my life. Tomka had been an adopted grandmother for my children and me for over two decades. She had been ‘sunshine’ in many people’s lives. She LIVED and she LOVED as Christ told us to. She always greeted us with her open arms, and she had very special feelings for my mama, Liudmila, as she reminded her of her mother. I feel so blessed that this remarkable and beautiful lady touched my family with her loving presence. Tomka will always be in our thoughts and prayers. Love lives forever…”
Our mother, Tomka, often said “If you can help someone, do it! If you can do good…do good.”
Tomka was preceded in death by her husband: the Honorable Judge Paul Nicolich; parents: Kuzman and Lenka Kostoff; brother: Done` Kostoff; In-laws: Dime and Boica Nicolich; Sisters-in-law: Menka (Nick) Gulaboff and Luba (Mito) Ilich; Nephew: John Michael Ilich.
Tomka is survived by her children: Leni (Kevin) Nicolich-Foster, Paula (Donald) Nicolich-Kizer, Lori Nicolich, and Alex (Robin) Nicolich; Grandchildren: Ashley (Nick) Sager, Alex (Wilder) Chandler, Harrison Foster, Theo Kizer, Gabi Kizer, Keagan and Kaden Nicolich; Great- grandchildren: Addelyn, Owen, and Maisie Sager, Harper and Wilder Chandler; Sister-in-law: Fredricka (Done`) Kostoff; Brother-in-law: John (Milica) Nicolich; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tomka’s memory to St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church.
Visitation arrangements are being made through Baxter Funeral Home and funeral services will be held at St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church. Please visit Baxter’s website at baxterfuneral.com, or contact Baxter Funeral Home at 269.788.9800