Shirley Marie Nickerson, 83, "Miss Shirley" of Compton, MD passed away surrounded by her loving family on May 10, 2019 in Callaway, MD. She was born on February 6, 1936 in St. Mary's City, MD to the late Hilda Marie Mattingly and William Jennings Mattingly. Shirley was the loving wife of Deacon William Jess Nickerson, whom she married on February 6, 1954 in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Compton, MD.

Shirley is survived by her children, Wendy Schaller of Leonardtown, MD, Mary Shields of Owings, MD, Barbara Castle of Compton, MD, William J. Nickerson, Jr. of Compton, MD, Victoria Carter of Hollywood, MD, Margaret Rorex of San Antonio, TX, Michael Nickerson of Compton, MD, Tracey Schrader of Compton, MD, Peter Nickerson of Compton, MD, 32 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren. She was the eldest of 19 siblings who survived birth: Martha Fisher, William Mattingly, Sharon Connelly, Alan Mattingly, Brenda Garber, Linda Pistachio, Dennis Mattingly, Gloria Turbyne, Debra Majkut, Roy Mattingly, John Mattingly, Theresa Mayor, Anna Braithwaite, Mary Carol Gisoldi, and Leona Butler. Deceased siblings were Kenny Mattingly, Dale Mattingly, and Joan Lehman.

She was a lifelong St. Mary's County, MD resident and graduated from Margaret Brent School. Shirley worked for St. Mary's Hospital for 30 years on the maternity ward delivering babies and as a switchboard operator.

The family will receive friends on Monday, May 13, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 10:00 AM in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Compton, MD with Father Brian Sanderfoot officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Bobby Schaller, Jeffrey Cable, Nicky Nickerson, Josh Carter, Ryan Nickerson, and Billy Schrader. Honorary pallbearers will be Emmett Schaller, Chris Insley, Tommy Cable, Collin Nickerson, Wayne Carter, and Mark Schrader.