Erica Jean (Nick) Mandeville

It is with great sadness that the family of Erica Jean (Nick) Mandeville, age 38, of Wayne, announces her unexpected passing this past Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

Born in Ridgewood, NJ and raised in Wayne, Erica was the seventh of Ken (Mike) and Edna Nick’s nine children – seven daughters and then two sons. She was a graduate of Wayne Valley High School, Class of 1999.

Erica was a beautiful person, so full of love and life. Everything she did, she did with such passion. The greatest loves in her life were her two daughters, Kathleen and Allyson, and her very large, yet extremely close family.

Erica was an eclectic mix of character traits. She represented a mix of both of her parents. Like her mom, Erica was a completely devoted mother to her children. She also loved crafts, decorating, dancing and, most importantly, singing. Singing was Erica’s greatest joy. She had the most beautiful voice and never missed an opportunity to sing – whether at Karaoke, at an event, or just in the car with her girls. Her favorite songs to sing were those from Pat Benatar, Heart, Stevie Nicks and nearly anything 80’s.

Erica was also very much her father’s daughter. Like him, she loved everything “cars” – from attending Lead East, other car shows, tractor pulls and even watching her father participate in demolition derbies. Despite being a beautiful girlie-girl at times, she was a bit of a cow girl by nature. She also shared her father’s love of fishing and country music.

Growing up with seven siblings, Erica was never alone. There was always something going on, always so much fun to be had. Those close ties extend far beyond her immediate family and included close relationships with her many aunts and uncles as well as her sixty-plus first cousins. She was a dear and very special part of each of their lives.

Without question, Erica’s greatest source of love and devotion were her girls. She was an outstanding mom for her two daughters including petite, quiet, dainty and demure Kathleen, and tell-it-like-it-is, “I’m pretty sure I know what I want” Allyson who also inherited her mom’s desire to sing. She loved being from a huge family. Many great memories were made visiting her father’s family in Pennsylvania and she always looked forward to “Cousins Weekend” which, with twenty to thirty cousins getting together every year, was no small event. Then there was the annual “Girls Night Out” fundraiser put on by the Fryburg, PA Volunteer Fire Department. It seemed that Erica was always the winner of all the raffled prizes. Additionally, there were always many family events – birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, BBQ’s, graduations, confirmations, and just getting together because.

Erica was a giving person whose warm generous heart was always ready to give of her time, treasures and talents to help out a friend or stranger in need. She touched the lives of many in positive ways and will be missed dearly by all who were blessed to have known her.

Erica was the loving daughter of Kenneth L. Nick, Sr. and Edna Nick of Wayne; precious mother of Kathleen Nelson and Allyson Nick Nelson; and much-loved sister of: Margaret Nick Henry of Wayne, Brenda and husband Luis Amaya of Tabernacle, NJ, Tammy and husband Mark Miller of Wayne, Paula Van Der Wende of Wayne, Karey and husband Anthony Sorrentino of Totowa, Krissy Montana of Wayne, the late Kenneth Nick, Jr. (1985), and Michael and wife Jessica Nick of Pompton Lakes. She is also survived by many dear uncles and aunts, cousins, second cousins, and nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her paternal grandparents: Clarence J. Nick and Margaret J. Nick; and her maternal grandparents: Warren Congleton, Sr. and Edna Mae Congleton.