Karen McClave Nicholls, 77, of Madison, CT., beloved wife of William B. Nicholls, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on July 30, 2014 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford after a courageous six yearbattle with cancer. She was born September 30, 1936 in Miami, FL, eldest daughter of the late Donald & Mary McClave of Merritt Island, FL.

She was a graduate of Manasquan High School in Brielle, NJ as well as the Bouve School of Physical Therapy & Tufts University in Boston, MA. She maintained her license as a Registered Physical Therapist, having worked in several states. Her last place of employment was at the Branford Hills Healthcare Center.

An active volunteer in the community, she was a past Chairwoman of Madison's Zoning Board of Appeals (16 years service); Past President & Governor of the Madison Beach Club; Past Governor of the Madison Winter Club; as well as having spent time helping the Girl Scouts, Cub & Boy Scouts, PTA, and library of the First Congregational Church in Madison. She was a lifetime lover of opera, classical music and amateur theatre as well as an avid tennis player.

She is survived by her daughter Jami S. McCormack & son-in-law Scott S. Mullins of Oak Park, IL; her son Malcolm D. Nicholls & daughter-in-law Suzanne M. Turman of Madison, CT; her grandchildren: Owen McCormack, Audrey McCormack, Ian Nicholls; her siblings: Donnie McClave, Sallie Dougherty, Edmund McClave, Harold McClave, and Douglas McClave.

Services will be held at the First Congregational Church in Madison Thursday, August 7th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Tufts University Class of 1958 Scholarship Fund. To sign the online guestbook please visit hawleylincolnmemorial.com.