Colrain, MA – The family lost a very special and beloved soul with the passing of North (Nicholson) Nartowicz on August 30, 2026.
North was born to Lloyd and Esther (Trippett) Nicholson in Whitefield NH on June 22, 1937. Her parents affectionately named North after the North Twin Mountain, and North climbed the mountain of life with the sweetest of love and the spirit of a champion.
North moved to Long Island NY as a child, and later to Bernardston MA, where she attended the one room South Street School. North later graduated in 1954 from Powers Institute in Bernardston as class Salutatorian and was honored with several awards including the Character Award and most dear to her was the Athletic Award. While at Powers she participated 4 years in several sports and was Captain of the basketball team, the same team that was victorious at the 1954 State Championship; to her final days she spoke fondly of several team mates that she kept in touch with.
She graduated from Northampton Commercial College and began work in the Public Relations Office at Northfield Mount Hermon School. After raising her much loved children she returned to work for 27 years at Greenfield Supply Company as clerical staff.
On April 2, 1956 North married Charles Nartowicz, living in Bernardston until 1959 when they moved to Colrain where they raised their four children; Julie, Charles Jr (Sonny)(Kris), Lisa Jablonski (Skip) and Alan. North was also a Boy Scout Cub master and helped teach Sunday school for a few years at Shelburne Congregational Church. North could be found at all of her children’s sporting events for many years and also enjoyed watching the Red Sox and UConn Women’s basketball.
For so many years North was her husband Charlie’s best supporter or scorekeeper for his softball games. When the time came for Charlie to retire, they purchased a boat and named it North Wind, on which North loved spending time with family at many lakes in VT, NH, NY & Canada, especially Newfound Lake NH. North also enjoyed time spent at the ocean, including trips with the four children to Gloucester, MA, on Long Island Sound with her Aunts as a child, and later trips to St. Thomas VI.
North’s most precious time was spent with her 10 grandchildren; Curtis, Travis, Brad, Carly, Tiffany, Shanna, Kyle, Lucas, Rockson and Nicholas. As time went on there came 19 special great grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren, each time a new child entered the family North could be found holding them close.
North was married to Charlie for 55 years. They often spent quiet moments on long walks in the woods or on the pool deck enjoying the mountains views. North treasured her daily walks on her dirt country road, especially when meeting friendly neighbors on her path. North found much solace and peace in sipping her hot tea while sitting on her yard bench soaking in warm rays of the sun and listening to the songbirds that she kept fed.
North’s husband Charlie predeceased her in 2011. She is survived by her four children, and her siblings; two sisters, Peggy Toepel of Washington state and Phoebe Woodard of Erving (Gerry), and a brother, Bennet (Nick) (Renee) Nicholson of NH. North also leaves behind several beloved nieces, especially Hayley who helped with her care, and nephews and cousins.
Graveside services will be private. There will be a Celebration of Life for North on Sunday, September 20 at 2:00pm at the Burnt Hill Blueberry Farm in Heath. If inclement weather occurs the service will be held at Heath Union Church, Heath.
Donations in memory of North may be made to the Commission for the Blind,c/o Chief Finacial Officer, 40 Brood St., Boston,Ma 02109.
Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave, Northfield, MA is assisting the family with arrangements.
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