Nicky Leigh Thomas

Oh Nicky, How my heart broke when I heard the news, and again as I write this. You were my first flatmate in NZ when I decided to plant some roots in Dunedin for awhile. Your charisma, sense of adventure, intellect, and gentle yet fiercely loving spirit created the perfect home for the time we got to spend together. I cherish those memories in our shared flat with Tom, Sven, you and I so much. You knew my fascination with India and invited me to join you while you lived there. I still tell stories to everyone about that trip and how you made my experience there so magical. Seeing India through your eyes and getting to live with the locals was what made that adventure with you all the more special. I remember when you skyped me from Germany, trying your first "poutine"! You always made me laugh so hard with your excitement for all things new and fun. We always talked about our next trip together and where we'd end up meeting up. Even though we hadn't seen each other in years we caught up on both of our adventures often. I'll miss you forever. And I'll always wish that our paths had crossed again in person. I always imagined that they would have...I am truly struggling to comprehend that I'll never get to hear your laughter again or be embraced in one of your warm hugs. I'll love you forever and bring you on all my adventures. I'm going to go back to India one day again and I hope you'll be with me in spirit, my dear friend. Thank you for being a part of my life and opening my eyes to the world. Your presence here on earth will be greatly missed. It has been such a privilege to know you and to love you. - Your silly, loving Canadian friend

Dearest Nicky, I am so grateful our paths crossed and we became friends, as well as work mates! You lived life with such heart which is such a rare quality my friend. It gave you such an abundance of kindness, empathy, passion, and connection to others, Nicky - a wahine toa. I don't think I have ever met anyone who lived life with such heart Nicky - it made you beautifully you! My deepest sympathy and aroha to Nicky's partner and whanau.

Dearest Nicky, Im still trying to find a way to accept the fact that you’ve left this world. Im so proud of you for chasing your dreams and achieving them in your little life and for being the kindest soul ever. Your generosity and compassion was truly inspiring. One of the most beautiful thing about you was how you built bridges of love and friendship between people across the world. You treated me like your younger sister, trusted me with important things, believed in me, encouraged me, and constantly pushed me to become a better version of myself, Not gonna lie sometimes I hated the lectures. 🙈 Thank you for everything you gave away so freely and so selflessly, your kindness, your faith in me, and your friendship. Goodbye my desi-wesi-gori-pakori 🫶🏻 You will forever be missed ♾️💕

Nicky you were the kindest hearted, steeliest fighter for the rights of others. Your compassion and commitment to those who crossed your path has changed many lives. To all Nicky's whānau, friends and workmates I am thinking of you with love.

To Chrissy, the extended whānau, and everyone whose lives were brightened by Nicky, Watching the beautiful service today and hearing the incredible stories of Nicky's journey left me in a state of profound awe. While our interactions were brief, having met back in 2010 through mutual extended whanau, I recognized a kindred spirit in her immediately. It struck me even then how alike we were in so many ways, and her vital energy left a permanent mark on me. Listening to the immense fullness of her life today reminded me of a beautiful truth; the flame that burns twice as bright truly does burn half as long. Nicky didn't just exist; she lived with such fierce authenticity that she experienced more life than many could in a century. She constantly expanded the envelope of what it means to truly be alive. In witnessing the incredible legacy she leaves behind, a vital spark has been reignited within me. It is as if she has acted as an angel, waking me up and guiding me to reflect deeply on my own life's journey. Even from afar, she has taught me to be generous, to love ferociously, and to be my unapologetically authentic self. I feel a beautiful responsibility to carry that profound inspiration forward and to live fully in her honor. May her vivacious beautiful soul travel peacefully on this next journey. Sending my deepest respect and Aroha to you all during this time, Michael Steentjes

Nicky, I had the privilege of knowing you personally in Montevideo. I couldn’t help but feel happy for this couple when I saw how much they loved each other. At one point, I even felt like she was an “Uruguayan” and everything was filled with smiles. I am deeply sorry for your unexpected and devastating loss. I extend my condolences to my dear friend Matías. Death may humble life, but memories will never fade. Her smile will forever be the eternal companion in every sunrise and sunset. With sincere feelings and a heavy heart, Eduardo Ebenstein

Nicky, I’m so grateful I had the chance to know you and to call you my friend. I can’t believe the most fiercely alive person I’ve ever met is no longer with us. You loved people, and you genuinely cared for them. I’ve never met anyone so generous. You gave so much of yourself without ever expecting anything in return. You were there for me in more ways than I can count, took me on so many adventures, and helped me fall in love with life again. I hope I told you how much you meant to me while you were here. I’m going to miss you so much. And I promise I’ll keep sharing your wisest piece of advice: “Never trust a fart on a mountain in India.” I love you, Hamsa

Querida Nicky: Lamentamos profundamente tu partida. Damos gracias el haberte conocido. En tu visita a Uruguay nos dejaste huellas imborrables de simpatía, fortaleza, generosidad y mucho amor. Siempre estarás en nuestro corazón. Nuestras condolencias a toda tu familia y a tu pareja Matías, nuestro sobrino. Hasta siempre 🌹

Nicky is a one-of-a-kind human whirlwind of joy and brilliance. I will miss her energy, her enthusiasm, her generosity, her kindness, and her deep love for people and for life. She made a lasting impression on me (and everyone who crossed paths with her, too). I feel so lucky to have known her and to have called her my friend, even for a short time. I will always remember her remarkable spirit. My deepest condolences to Nicky's loved ones. I'm holding you in my thoughts and wishing you comfort, strength, and peace as you grieve such a profound and unexpected loss.

Querida Niky duele mucho tu temprana partida.como mamá agradecida por el amor que recibió Matías de tu parte.y fue un gran placer haberte conocido y se que quedó mucho más por vivir!vuela alto reina !

Oh Nicky, I was so saddened to hear of your passing, and at such a young age. Sorry I didn't make it to the perfumery in time. After you left the company we both worked at, I was so heartened to learn you had moved on to a place where your altruistic heart and capable brain were immediately recognised, valued, and put to good use supporting some of our most vulnerable. Then to see you'd moved on to opening your own beautiful business space... how wonderful! Thank you for the time you spent with me, both at work and out in the wild... you were a gem, and the world will be a little dimmer without your sparkle.

Nicky, it’s been quite a shock to the system dealing with your passing. It’s quite hard to really come to terms with believing that you’re gone when really the dream for you just started. It’s been truely amazing watching you create Nur perfumery, every tiny detail was carefully over analysed 5000 times and everyone of those details was carefully chosen for your customers, for the experience, for those people to create something that becomes special to them. That’s you. You gave them you. We were lucky to get some of that spark ! Shine bright my friend ⭐️