Obituaries

Nicole Holbein Tucker passed away peacefully surrounded by her friends and family after a long and hard battle with colon cancer. Nicole is preceded in death by her father Jim Holbein, mother-in-law Darlene Tucker and brother- in-law Bryan Tucker. She is survived by her husband of 24 years, David Tucker and her three children, Mackenzie, Luke and Lee Tucker. She is also survived by her mother Christina Holbein and sister Trisha Holbein Owens (Michael), brother-in-law John Tucker (Carrie), as well as several nieces, nephews, family and friends, including her best friend Amy McElfresh Ford (Brian). Nicole was a long-time resident of Northern Kentucky and an educator for over 25 years. She earned her teaching degree from Eastern Kentucky University and her Master’s degree from NKU. Nicole started her teaching career at Scott County High School. She taught business and was the FBLA advisor at Campbell County High School for nine years. She spent the last 17 years at Dixie Heights High School, her alma mater, where she taught business and advised FBLA. Her greatest impact however was running the School Within a School program at Dixie for the past 11 years. She was fully committed to helping students realize their potential and see them succeed. She is also survived by every student whose life she touched and her legacy will live on through their successes. Once a Colonel, always a Colonel. As a sports mom, you could find Nicole at every soccer, swimming, baseball and football event in the area. Her greatest accomplishment in life was her children and her greatest joy came from seeing them succeed in whatever they set out to do. Her impact on the entire community is deep and vast. Nicole was involved for several years with the Northern Kentucky Swim League and Brookwood Swim Team. You would find her at swim meets yelling “push!”, “swim”, “dig deep!” at her kids from the side of the pool. Nicole’s favorite place to spend time with family and friends was Lake Cumberland on her boat, The Mother Tucker. She said the lake water was healing.

Her laugh was big, loud and infectious. Nicole loved the sun on her face, chasing sunsets and 80’s rock. She was an advocate for everyone. Nicole was a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, friend and educator who always told you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted to hear. Her impact and legacy will live on in those of us who were blessed to be a part of her life. The light within her shined so brightly that no matter how dark times could get, you could always see a way through, with her by your side. And even though a piece of us has left this earth, we all still hold her in our hearts to keep her legacy living and shining light on others.

A Celebration of life will be held at Crossroads Church, in Florence on Friday, August 4th. Visitation from 10am-1pm, service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you donate to The Brighton Center or Crossroads Church. A Nicole “Mother” Tucker scholarship fund will be coming soon that will benefit the students from Dixie’s School Within a School Program.