Nikki Diane Gastineau

June 3, 1954 - October 21, 2020

Nikki Diane Gastineau passed away peacefully early Wednesday, October 21 at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. She had been diagnosed several years ago with pulmonary fibrosis but had just recently begun to struggle with her disease. Since the pandemic, she had self-isolated and had the opportunity to communicate and connect remotely with her many friends and family and spend time with her beloved dogs Dorie and Marmalade. Sadly, her final wish to live until Election Day for her vote to be counted was not fulfilled. Nikki was born June 3, 1954 in Bloomington IN to the late Loren "Butch" Gastineau and Annabelle (Frye) Gastineau. Nikki graduated from Edgewood High School in 1972 and earned a B.A. degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University in 1997. As a young single mother, she worked at Waffle House and Grove's restaurants putting herself through school. She earned her CPM designation through the Institute of Real Estate Management. She had a long successful career of more than 33 years with CFC Properties retiring as the Vice President of Residential Real Estate. She was a member of the Bloomington Board of Realtors. She was an active member of the community serving on several boards and commissions including but not limited to Cardinal Stage, Rotary Club, the Bloomington Housing Quality Appeals Board (BHGA) and the Indiana state and local Apartment Associations. Nikki loved travelling and gathering with her many wonderful friends. Nikki was a passionate advocate for social justice and women's rights. She was proud to have participated in the Women's March in Indianapolis in January 2017. She was an avid writer and as she often said had found her tribe with Women Writing for (a) Change. She was a lover of books and reading and was a constant learner. She was a leader and mentor to many people. She was an inspiration and unknowingly impacted the lives of those she met. She leaves behind her son Michael Gastineau and her grandchildren Annaleigh Gastineau, Romi Mojica, and Fisher Gastineau. She is also survived by her sisters Tonya Gastineau (Mike Ames), Mary Stout and Lynda Gastineau as well as her long-time best friend Nancy Bowlen. And her nieces and nephews Barbara Vandagrifft, Tyler Stout, Tre Nordo (Sadie Stull), Olivia Nordo and several great nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, sisters Susan Tyree, Lisa Higgins, Patricia 'Patty' Gastineau, an infant sister Jennifer Jo and nephew Leo Tyree III. In lieu of flowers, Nikki asked for memorial contributions to be made to the following charities: Women Writing for (a) Change Bloomington, Pets Alive, Shalom Community Center and the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Church. Arrangements are through Allen Funeral Home and Crematory with a virtual memorial service/celebration of life livestreamed from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington on November 14, 2020 at 11a.m. To access the Unitarian Universalist Church Life Stream page, please visit http://www.uubloomington.org. In Nikki's honor, it will start promptly at 11a.m. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com