Nicolette Alexandria Nottage

Nicolette Alexandria Nottage Age: 25 Years of #64 Eastern Alexandria Boulevard, 
Nassau Village, completed her earthly walk of life on Friday, December 11, 2020.

She was born at Nassau, New Providence, the Bahamas on Friday, March 03, 1995.
She was the eldest of five children.

Nicolette inherited those traits of planning, organization and focus, even as a young child, 
from her mother. This could be seen in the way she prepared for school, kept her room and 
did house chores. Yes, just ask the family - cleaning the bathroom was a 'long production' but 
when it was finished you could see your reflection in any of the fixtures and even eat off of the 
spotless, sparking floor or bathtub. 

'Nicks' as she was affectionately called, received her early education at Hosanna House Nursery 
and Pre-school where she excelled. At the end of her primary and high school education at St. Anne's 
in 2012, it was apparent that her solid grounding and foundation skills coupled with family 
guidance and support resulted in the numerous awards and graduation recognition of a special credit Diploma. 

While Nicolette was a huge, bouncing baby, as a young woman she grew to be small and short in stature, 
bearing many jokes from family and friends alike about her lack of height and petite size. It did not deter 
her from going after her dreams of being a first-class architect who would one day help to change the face 
of the physical landscape here at home. This became her reality when it was obvious that while she could 
draw very well and was very passionate about it, and that her artwork and music was of a very high quality 
compared to her peers, yet she did not want to be an artist. Instead, she set her sights on living out her 
dreams and fantasies on that of a more 'stable and lucrative' offshoot, the field of Architecture. 

Nicolette was a very self-motivated, gifted individual and a perfectionist. She may have appeared quiet, 
but in truth preferred to be around others connecting on many different levels. She was an excellent 
conversationalist, who one had to 'make sense to' or be called out on it' when talking with her. 
The other side of this gifted young lady was that of the family jokester and comedienne – a trait 
which was surely inherited from her dad. She spent many hours trying to outdo him when she was 
not his sole supporting audience to the good, the bad and corny jokes. Oh! then, you would 
hear her laughing on the outside, from one end of the yard to the next. Her eyes and smile 
would light up everything around her. 

Her musical skills were obvious in the manner in which she gravitated to any of the instruments 
she was interested in. The piano and the saxophone, playing them both at St. Gregory's and as a 
part of the St. Ambrose Anglican Church Marching Bands and the College of The Bahamas Band 
and the Ensemble, Francis Richardson and St. Francis Junior Choir. She went so far as to teach 
herself the saxophone and had begun teaching herself the guitar. 

Her very first rendition of a song as a toddler was, "My Help Cometh from the Lord". 
Her mother's eyes would only twinkle with joy and pride as she sang for family members. 

Being ever cognizant of her purpose and setting for herself time limits in which to get things done, 
one can say that perhaps she lived her life as prescribed in Ephesians chapter 5 verses 15-17- 
"So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. Make good use 
of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. Don't be fools, then, but try to find 
out what the Lord wants you to do". 

Therefore, it was not surprising to her family that, while many may have chosen the world of 
work to obtain practical experience and make money for college, her next step on the road to 
becoming an Architect was her matriculation at the College of the Bahamas, completing her 
Associate's Degree with honors. Nicolette then pursued further studies in Architecture at the 
University of Arkansas and in the Fall of 2018, she transferred to Florida Agriculture and 
Mechanical University ("FAMU") in Tallahassee, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree - Magna Cum Laude.  
A huge achievement while there was her induction into the Honor Society in Architecture and 
Allied Arts – Tau Sigma Delta for her outstanding academic achievements. Because of her 
outstanding GPA, she was elevated into the Master's Degree programme and obtained a 4.0 
during the first year. Having set her sights high, Nicolette accelerated her studies and was 
expecting to graduate with her Masters in Architecture in May, 2021. Another first would have 
been her selection to represent FAMU in Washington, D.C in 2020, had it not been for the pandemic. 

Along her journey, Nicolette was exposed to all things about the field of art, design and architecture, 
from job study assignments to voluntary mentorships to summer employment with top firms here at home.  
One such exposure was a 6-week summer internship program at Harvard University in Boston, MA.  
From the first day, she was like 'a kid in a candy store', excited, full of life ready to begin classes from 
day one and directing her mommy around the campus and the University town, having already done 
all of her research of course, as if she had been there before. 

She was compassionate, artistic, intuitive, wise, musical yet gentle. Perhaps knowing that words 
would not adequately express the true depth and passion of her artistic side, she chose to draw it, 
paint, play it on the piano; the saxophone for whomever was observing or listening. Yes! We can 
truly say that her creative juices were always flowing even in the silence of her mind.  

All who really knew her would agree with these characteristics while acknowledging her human 
frailties sometimes of fearfulness and being overly trusting so much so, that she gave so much of 
herself and possessions to even strangers, expecting little in return. 

Nicolette knew and appreciated from very early that her help came from the Lord and therefore 
stayed close to His Word and His Church without a second thought. This was evident when she 
became an active member of the various service and mentoring organizations at St. Gregory's 
inclusive of the Acolyte's Guild, Youth, Marching Band, Tara Foundation and Sunday school up 
until the time of her demise. Even in Tallahassee one of the first things she did was to seek out an 
Episcopalian Church where she continued her services with the Acolyte, Altar Guilds and the 
Youth Department. She made such an impression on the priest and congregation that she presented 
sermonettes during Youth Sunday. Nicolette was one of the many children of St. Gregory's who was 
loved and nurtured by all leaders and members of the church both past and present. She was a 
Millennial whose peers, elders and even the young could relate to and interact with, with ease and favour.  

Time and purpose came together on that faithful Friday morning, the same day that she entered this world. 
In December when as Maryann said it, "must be all about 'timing', that's when it is your time, 
there is nothing you can do about it". In spite of the planning and preparation for her arrival, 
all the painting, fixing and cooking could not deter the imminent ascension of this earthly being to her 
Maker at exactly 25 years, 9 months and 8 days. All of the well-laid plans were not to be. 
They were not a part of the 'final schedule Master Plan'. Perhaps He had reassured Nicolette 
that the Place that He had prepared for her was like no other and maybe that is why she sought 
to reassure her mom and brother the few days before her expected arrival home, repeatedly, 
of just how much she loved them, every chance she got to speak with them. 

The most important thing that our Heavenly Father has shown Maryann is reflected in 
Acts 1: verse 7 as Jesus said to them, "The times and occasions are set by my Father's 
own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be".  

So, while she may mourn as Mary and Martha wept over their brother's grave, 
but not without the Blessed Hope of meeting her Princess, her Nicks one day, 
who must be saying to her mommy as John 16:22 (GNT) – "That is how it is with you: 
now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your heart (s) will be filled with gladness, 
the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you." 

"But mommy if there is one thing that I could leave with you; 
it would be these words by this unknown author": 

The Final Flight 
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, 
I'm following the path God laid for me. Ah, yes, these things too I will miss. 
I took his hand when I heard his call, be not burdened with times of sorrow, 
I turned my back and left it all. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. 
I could not stay another day, My Life's been full, I savored much, 
To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. 
Tasks left undone must stay that way, perhaps my time seemed all too brief, 
I've found that peace at the end of the day. Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. 
If my parting has left a void, lift up your heart and share with me, 
Then fill it with remembered joy. God wanted me now, He set me free. 

Nicolette will always be remembered in the hearts of her mother, brother Lamar, 
family members and friends. May her soul rest in peace. 

We will see Nicolette along with Luther, her father, again. Meanwhile, 
the following persons remain to celebrate Nicolette's life:

Nicolette is preceded in death by her:
Father: Luther Alexander Nottage;

The Radiance of this "Bloodstone of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of her:
Mother: Maryann S. Nottage;
Three Brothers: Lamar, Darren and Delano Nottage;
One Sister: Letha Nottage;
One Grandmother: Carolyn Moss;
Five Uncles: Sherman (Eltoy) and Keith Moss (Rita), Christopher Nottage, Charles Lloyd and Patrick Bethel;
Six Aunts: Mildred Fox (Archdeacon Mark Lindsey), Gwendolyn Johnson (William), Patsy Joseph, 
Sylvia Bethel, Sharon Clarke and Rosemary Jones of Fort Myers, Florida;
Two Godfathers: Michael (Freddie) Gibson and Randy Conliffe (Gwendolyn);
Six Godmothers: Rosamund Stubbs, Serena Fernander (Godfrey), Dorothy Knowles, Crystal Brice (Jayson), 
Patrice Spychalla and Anastacia Johnson;
Seven Godbrothers: Kyle and Kyron Stubbs, Kameron and Kai Brice, Shari Clarke, 
Jamal Lloyd and Michael Gibson, Jr.;  
Two Godsisters: Carla Turner and Illiana Spychalla;
Numerous Cousins and a host of other relatives and friends including: Bianca, George, 
Frederick, Sheila and Maxwell Moss, Mnephra Fox, Sharmaine Thomas (Ricardo), Krystal Dean (Antonio), 
Tracey and Ebony Butler, Angela Johnson of Miami Florida, Tiffany Lundy, Tameka Grant, Villamae Albury, 
Ricardo Moultrie of London, Shekiel Knowles (Sheldon), Debbie, Larry and Gary Williams, 
Carolyn Rolle (Livingston), Tony (Vernetta), Cindy, Mark and Angelo Bethel, Nurse Bernadette Colebrook, 
Montella Gibson, Bernardette Hoffman, Millie, Gladstone, Hilton and Carlie Cambridge, Virginia Neely, 
Gloria Strachan (Edward), Godfrey (Schandles) Barry, Biafia Barry, Rose Green, Carolyn Miller, Deon Stuart, 
Canon Harry (Juliette) and Errol Ward (Elva), Michelle Dawkins, Elechiemae Roberts, Lorriane Evans, 
Joyce Seymour, Jasmine, Edney, Douglas and Dwayne Joseph, Margaret Heastie, Adam, Emmanuel, 
Edderson McSweeney, Kendal, Anthony, Peter, Rico and Maxine Nottage, Bishop Walter (Elder Minalee), 
Ethlyn, Henry and Larry Hanchell, Leotha Adderley (Alphonsa), Mae Missick, Beverley Beneby (Bernard), 
Glenn, Kilroy, Ceyola and Herbert Coakley (Yvette), Senator Annafaye (Reginald) Knowles, Mary Cunningham, 
Esther Cooper, Melvina Poitier, Robert Farquharson (Priscilla), Marilyn Munroe (Wilmore), Thelma Miller, 
Verdell Sweeting, Habukkuk, Carl, Leroy Jr., Reuben, Oswald, Charles Ferguson, Patricia and Patrick Mills, 
Claudine Stubbs and their Families. The Cambridge and Scavella Families of Hatchet Bay Eleuthera, 
the Stuart, Barry and Neely Families of Bluff Eleuthera, the Ward and Collins Families of Upper Bogue, Eleuthera 
and the Ferguson Family of Crooked Island.
Special Friends:  Ashley Mackey, Celeste Johnson, Elkin Roker, Erin Francis, Crispin Hanna, 
Bobby Telusnord, Alexis Bain, Krischa Mather, Sarah Jones, Jerez Rolle, Monica Stuart, 
Katie Longley, Ivana Kenny Carmola, Monique Alleyne, St. Anne's Class of 2012, and 
FAMU School of Architecture & Engineering Technology ("SAET") graduate students. 
Special expressions of gratitude are extended to: Bishop Laish Boyd, Canon S. Sebastian Campbell, 
Fr. Addington Turnquest, Fr. Richard Wood, Fr. Atma Budhu, Rev. Angela Palacious, 
Rev. Marie Roach-Hepburn, Dr. David Allen, Dr. Marie Carrol, Keva Bethell, Dr. Earl A. Cash, 
Livingston and Claire Hepburn, Sheldon Morris, Shirley Williams, Mary Basden, Diane Knowles, 
Ellen Johnson, Rev. Fr. Hugh Chapman, Charlie Clarke, Delois Brown, Theresa Kemp, 
Caroline Brown (Benson), Tara Edgecombe, Tanya Benjamin, Elva Turner, Shanley Bodie (Lethera), 
Inez Swann, Whitney Hamilton (Donna) of Baltimore Maryland and their Families, the TARA Foundation, 
St. Gregory's Anglican Church, the Prayer Group, St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church of 
Tallahassee Florida, Faculty & Staff of FAMU, QC Class of 1976, Andrew Wilson and Staff of QBC.