Malvena R. Nickel

Malvena R. Nickel, née Bahrt, passed away on August 28, 2026, in Flemington, New Jersey. She was born on January 18, 1948, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late William G. and Kathryn (Breslin) Bahrt.

Raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Malvena graduated in the Class of 1966 from Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth. After graduation, she attended the Nancy Taylor Secretarial School, now known as Taylor Business Institute, where she was featured in an ad for the school. Diagnosed with polio at the age of 2, she was cared for at Children’s Country Home in Mountainside for several years, which is now Children’s Specialized Hospital. Malvena was a poster child, for the March of Dimes, that was featured in the Newark Star Ledger newspaper. She always met life with a quiet strength and resilience, and those who knew her will remember a woman who was selfless, always thinking of others before herself.

Malvena worked for several years as the Executive Secretary to the President (Sol Zausner) of Zausner Foods Corporation. She also brought great care and creativity to her work at home, using her craft and sewing skills to create handmade Christmas ornaments that she sold to various boutiques, and craft shows throughout NJ and PA for nearly 20 years. Crafting, sewing, and needlecraft were among the pursuits that brought her joy and reflected the patience and talent she shared so generously.

She found happiness and peace in life’s simple and familiar comforts: working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles, watching episodes of Seinfeld on television, making memories with her three grandchildren, and listening to the country music stylings of Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, as well as 50's and 60's classic rock. She was an avid and proficient piano player; with a love of music, she instilled in her son. She enjoyed attending plays and Broadway shows with her sisters in NYC and going to local Teaberry’s Tea Room with the important women in her life. A woman of strong faith, for many years, she taught CCD from her home, offering her time and guidance to others in a way that was deeply characteristic of her caring spirit.

Above all, Malvena will be remembered within the circle of her family. She is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, Peter F. Nickel, of Ringoes, NJ; by her son, Jeffrey Nickel, and his wife, Kara L., of Flanders, NJ, their three children, Connor, Kayleigh, and Kassidy; by her older sister Mary Clare Levins and her husband, Peter J., of Pewaukee, WI; by her younger sister, Genevieve Polsky, of Mountainside, NJ; by her sister-in-law, Susan Bahrt, of Nazareth, PA; by her brother-in-law, Richard Nickel, of Middlesex, NJ, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Malvena was preceded in death by her brother, William “Billy” Bahrt, of Nazareth, PA; by her brother-in-law, Ronald Polsky, of Mountainside, NJ; by her brother-in-law, Bruce Nickel, of Middlesex, NJ, and by her sister-in-law, Linda Nickel, of Middlesex, NJ. Her memory will remain a lasting blessing to those who loved her and to all who were touched by her kindness. Malvena loved and cherished her family and longtime friends, but her three grandchildren, Connor, Kayleigh, and Kassidy were her world, and she loved them to "the moon and back!"

A viewing will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, New Jersey 08822, followed by a funeral service at the funeral home at 6:00 p.m. A graveside service will then be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Ann’s Cemetery, 549 St. Anns Road (Woodside Road) Freeland, Pennsylvania 18224.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in honor of Malvena and her life, may be made to the following organizations and by clicking the links below (“Hit make a donation and then select in memory of Malvena Nickel.”:

Children's Specialized Hospital Long Term Care Center - 150 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105