Bella Nickerson Chappuis Abramson 1916-2005

...Bella Nickerson Chappuis Abramson, a native of Lafayette and a member of one of southwest Louisiana's pioneer families, was born on Nov. 11, 1916, to Isabella Judice Nickerson and John Cameron Nickerson. Isabella Judice Nickerson was the daughter of Alcide and Anais Judice. Alcide Judice was the founder of Scott, La. John Cameron Nickerson's father, John Cameron Nickerson Sr., moved his family to Louisiana from Simcoe, Ontario, in 1878 and built the Nickerson home, where Mrs. Abramson lived, located in Sterling Grove on the corner of Simcoe and Sterling streets. Mrs. Abramson was rooted in a family tradition that always stood for excellence in education. Her grandfather, Alcide Judice, was the first president of the Lafayette Parish School Board, and her uncle, Leo Judice, was president of that same body for more than a quarter of a century. Leo was also the mayor of the Town of Scott. Judice Hall on the ULL campus is named for Alcide and Leo Judice, as is Judice Middle School and L. Leo Judice Elementary School. She shared her father's interest in the cultivation and nurturing of beautiful camellias and azaleas and other flowering plants and trees which abound on the grounds at Sterling Grove. Mrs. Abramson graduated as valedictorian of Lafayette High School and was a cum laude graduate of Southwest Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana, where she obtained a bachelor of arts degree in 1937. While a student at SLI, she was crowned Camellia Queen in 1935. Also, she served as president of the Vermilion Honor Society, which has since merged with Blue Key. After graduation from SLI, Mrs. Abramson was employed as secretary to SLI's Dean of Men, Rexford McCullough. She married Col. Richard D. Chappuis Sr., and after the end of World War II, they established their home in Lafayette. At this time, Mrs. Abramson embarked upon a long and devoted career of service to ULL and the community of Lafayette. After the death of Col. Chappuis, she married Dr. Samuel "Pete" Abramson in 1985. Dr. Abramson was also an alumnus of Lafayette High School and SLI. A longtime member of the ULL Foundation, Mrs. Abramson served on its board of directors and its activities committee for many years. For 17 years, she served on the ULL Arts Center committee and chaired the fund-raising arm of that committee. She was a faithful sustainer of the ULL Foundation's Honor Roll. Because of her generous donations, each year the tuition of a deserving secondary education student is paid. A spirited supporter of ULL athletics, crisp fall afternoons found her cheering the Ragin Cajuns' football team. Over the years, Mrs. Abramson has made numerous contributions to the ULL President's Club, the University Art Museum, the Eminent Scholar Trust Fund, the Dupré Library Fund and the Distinguished Professor awards...

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