Obituaries: Lena Isles McCovey Nicholson (May 26, 1919 – Feb. 28, 2011)

Born May 26, 1919, and died February 28, 2011 in Florence, Ore., while visiting her niece.

Lena was a Yurok Tribal Member born in Requa, Calif. She later met and married her husband of 30 years, Isaac McCovey. She married her second husband Paul Nicholson and moved to Fortuna.

She decided to go to college at the age of 47. She was offered a job at the Employment Development Agency and remained there for 16 years until she retired. During her years at the EDD, she helped many natives finish school, and get jobs that turned into careers. When she retired from the EDD, she went on to work as an Older Worker Specialist for the Senior Community Services Employment Program.

During her years at the EDD, she became interested in planning and expediting health care programs for the Indian people of Humboldt and Del Norte counties. In 2009, she was recognized by the U.S. Senate Rules Committee for 40 years of service for her dedication and commitment in improving health care in California. She was one of the original signers of the CRIHB articles of incorporation. She served as a Board Member of UIHS for many years.

She also served her Tribe as a volunteer on many committees. She served on the Enrollment Committee, helping to enroll new members into the Tribe. She also served on the Culture Committee for many years. Lena volunteered her services numerous times to numerous causes and received many awards for these services. Her sense of community will be missed.

Lena is survived by her son Frank McCovey and daughter Phyllis Yvonne Boulby, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father Frank Isles and mother Ellen. Her first husband Isaac McCovey and her second husband Paul Nicholson. Her brother Frank, and her sisters Margaret, Ellen, and Helen. Her son Richard McCovey and daughter Margaret Lewis. She also lost a child in childbirth and a daughter Phyllis Jean when she was 3.

Services and burial will be held at Wautec Church and Cemetery, on the Yurok Reservation, Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the Wautec Fire Station.

— Submitted by Family