Paulette B. Nikel (née Beyer) was born September 23, 1942 in Bainbridge, OH to Pauline (Hlebak) and Hugh F Beyer. She attended Miami of Ohio, where she met her first husband, Dale V Kowalyk. They had three children: Wendy (Bedrosian; Randy Wayne), Kevin and Kristofer Charles (LeAnn); and two grandchildren: Celine Bedrosian and Davis Kowalyk.
In 1976, Paulette was re-married to Robert E Nikel and they moved their family to Sewickley, PA, where Bob and Paulette grew Sewickley Porsche Audi into The Sewickley Car Store, adding a BMW franchise. Paulette and Bob split their time between homes in Ligonier, PA and Cave Creek, AZ. They loved to travel and entertain family and friends. An adventurous spirit, Paulette was also a runway model, race car driver and volunteer for the American Red Cross.
Paulette was a professional artist, accomplished in fiber arts, water color and, most notably, oil painting. She studied under numerous talented artists at the Scottsdale Artists School and James Sulkowski of Huston, PA. Her work was displayed in the Black Mountain Gallery in Carefree, Arizona and in the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley in Pennsylvania as well as several smaller galleries. She was a juried member of The Sonoran Arts League and Greensburg Art Club.
“There is so much chaos in the world. I am trying to create someplace where the viewer finds peace and comfort,” Paulette often explained.
She was also an enthusiastic equestrian and lover of dogs and cats. Paulette passed peacefully in her sleep on October 21, 2019 at the age of 77. Her family wishes to express special thanks to Ruth Jablonsky, Barb Stein, Jen Maxwell, Katie Luttner & Fran Newcomer, as well as the staff at Oakmont at Woodside Place, for their care. Private service will be held at The Sewickley Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES INC. Oakmont.
