Sr. Carolyn Nicolai, FSP, was born April 16, 1940, in Teaneck, New Jersey, to Marie and C.W. Nicolai. She had a sister, Marie, who was married to Jim Wyble, and they had five children: Daniel, Kenneth (K.C.), Carolyn, Janet, and Mark.

Sister grew up in Ridgefield Park, Bogota, and Kinnelon, New Jersey. She graduated from Butler High School in 1958, after which she attended Miller Secretarial School. Once she was skilled in secretarial work, she was employed as a secretary in New York City until 1960. It was then that she entered the Franciscan Sisters in Peekskill and began a life of service that spanned 65 years.

Education and early ministry

Sr. Carolyn earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and education at Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, and a master’s degree in religious education at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers.

During her early years of ministry, Sr. Carolyn taught in several Catholic elementary schools in New York and New Jersey. Though she loved teaching, she also felt called to minister to the elderly in the Kennedy Residence in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, and Bethany Residence in Wayne, New Jersey. In addition, she served as pastoral associate in St. Nicholas Parish in Passaic, New Jersey.

Ministry in Arizona

It was in 1989 that Sr. Carolyn moved to Arizona and was a pastoral associate in St. Joseph’s Parish in Winslow, Arizona. After a few years, she served the Yaqui and Tohono O’odham tribes in St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Tucson. In 1994, she became diocesan director of pastoral ministry to nursing homes, ministering with Father Angelo Mastria, O.Carm., for 20 years. In 1996, Sr. Carolyn received the Employee of the Year Award from Catholic Community Services of South Arizona.

Prison ministry was also very near and dear to her heart, as she volunteered in prisons for over 20 years and later as a mentor to women who were released from prison. During those years, Sr. Carolyn was deeply committed to standing with those on the margins. After Sr. Carolyn retired from active ministry in 2015, she continued serving the elderly and mentored the women she grew to love very much.

Final years

She spent her final years at Atria Bell Court Gardens Senior Living, where she formed many meaningful friendships and created a ministry of prayer and presence among the other residents. Sr. Carolyn often said that “time was the most precious gift a person could give to another.” She rejoiced in the many friends she encountered throughout her life as a Franciscan Sister of Peace and was filled with gratitude for all those who shared their time with her, assisting her in so many ways throughout her life, especially in her elder years.

Music was always a part of her being, and she loved singing and playing her guitar, which gave her much pleasure. Like St. Francis, she loved and cared for animals throughout her life.

Sr. Carolyn believed her life as a Franciscan Sister of Peace enabled her to minister to others through teaching, music, pastoral care, and a quiet presence. She hoped to be remembered as a caring and giving person who loved people, animals, and music.

After a brief time on hospice at The Center Nursing Facility in Tucson, Sr. Carolyn entered eternal life peacefully on December 14, 2025, no doubt hearing her Lord say, “Come to me, you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest!”

Sr. Carolyn is survived by her nephews, Kenneth (K.C.) and Mark, her niece Carolyn, several grandnieces, and many cousins whom she loved very much, as well as her Franciscan community.

A Mass of Resurrection to celebrate her life will be held in St. Pius X Parish in Tucson, Arizona, on Friday, January 3, 2026. The Most Reverend Gerald Kicanas, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Tucson, will preside, assisted by Reverend Thomas Kreiser. A Mass will be celebrated with her Franciscan Sisters of Peace at a later date at Marian Woods in Hartsdale. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Yonkers, immediately following the Mass.