SUSAN MARILYN NIKA
Susan Marilyn Nika (nee Murphy), 58, of Westfield, passed away on August 10th, 2015 after a 22 year battle with brain cancer. She was the beloved wife of Michael Edward Nika, her husband of 32 years, and the loving mother of two children, Colleen Nika and Michael Nika Jr., all of whom is she survived by. She is predeceased by her father, Captain George Arnold Murphy U.S.N., of Wilmington N.C., and her mother, Mary Francis Murphy, of Westfield, a former president of the Westfield Women's Republican Club.
Born on September 20, 1956, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Susan enjoyed an active youth as a Navy junior, living in places as distinct as Osaka, Japan, California, Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, before finally settling in New Jersey. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a cum laude graduate of Millersville University, where she was an education major. She was a teacher in the Union County Educational Services Commission from 1983 through 1993, when she retired upon her diagnosis. During her brave brain tumor battle, she remained active in the community and in her parish, Holy Trinity, and was an avid book enthusiast.
Life celebration will be on Friday August 14, 2015 from 4 to 8 pm at the Gray Funeral Home, 318 East Broad Street, Westfield. A private mass will be a later date.
Our charity is American Brain Tumor Association, in lieu of flowers.