Editha Bruna (Mercera) Nicholson

Editha Bruna Nicholson, who founded Divi Divi 36 years ago with her husband and grew it into the largest sewing, hobby and crafts store in the U.S. Virgin Islands, died on August 6, 2019, in Houston, Tex., after a long illness.
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> A lifelong seamstress, Mrs. Nicholson often put her skills to work in dressing her children and grandchildren through the years, from school uniforms to prom dresses.
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> She was born Editha Bruna Mercera on October 6, 1937, in Curacao, the fifth of 13 children of Anselmo Evfrasio Mercera and Manuelita Bernadita Sint Jago. She was fostered from a young age with her paternal aunt, Ofemia Mercera, though she remained close with her immediate family.
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> Growing up, Mrs. Nicholson attended the Parish of Santa Familia, where she was a member of the choir and played the organ. After completing her studies in Curacao, Mrs. Nicholson became a kindergarten teacher at the Catholic Heilige Hart College until she met and married her husband, Claud Nicholson on May 7, 1966.   She emigrated to St. Croix with him in 1971 after he was hired as a operator at what was then the Hess Oil company.
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> Twelve years later, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson opened Divi Divi as a fabric shop in Christiansted. The store grew and evolved and became a mainstay of Crucian society, providing many of the fabrics and props for cultural events such as the Crucian Christmas Festival, St. Croix Agriculture Fair, Mango Melee, St. Patrick's Day Parade and more. The store also provided generations of local students with the fabric to make their school uniforms.
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> Mrs. Nicholson was a respected member of the community, a steadfast friend, a loving mother to more than her own children, and a cherished spouse. Sweet and wise, she left her mark on everyone who knew her, and a hole that will never be filled.
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> She is survived by her husband, Claud; two daughters, Natalie Durand and Yolette Nicholson; one son, Dwight Nicholson; a daughter-in-law, Christa Lala Nicholson; a son-in-law, Cedric Durand; two granddaughters, Cedrina Durand and Maia Ariadne Nicholson; two grandsons, Nathaniel Durand and Marcus Adriel Nicholson; two sisters, Ulda Sprock and Reina Mercera; one brother, Franklin Mercera; one sister-in-law, Rosemary Mercera; many nieces and nephews; and close friends.

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