Bethel—Heidi Nikolaidis, 79, passed away on September 21, 2024 at Cedar Hill Nursing Home. She was born on April 8, 1945 in Plattenhardt, Germany, to Otto and Lydia Boepple.
Heidi immigrated to the United States with her family in 1955. Heidi moved to New York City in 1963. She attended and graduated from the Latin American Institute, where she studied languages, later working for Appleton Century Crofts.
In 1966, Heidi met Nick Nikolaidis on a blind date. They married in 1968. During this time, Nick and Heidi had side jobs catering events.
While driving through New England one weekend, Nick and Heidi became enamored with central Vermont. Rather than spending their savings on a planned vacation to Aruba, they bought a one-room cabin in Bethel. It was their primary residence for more than 50 years.
They owned and operated the Buckboard Restaurant in Randolph in 1976, and later the Black Forest Café and Caterers in Bethel. While Nick and Heidi’s careers primarily were in food service and catering, Heidi had other pursuits. These included insurance sales, dabbling with local politics, substitute teaching in Bethel and Randolph.
Heidi was also active in the Bethel Business Association, the Bethel Historical Society, and the town hall restoration project. She was the driving force behind the hanging baskets that lined Main Street’s lamp posts for several years. Heidi got her pilot’s license in 1980, and joined a flight club. Her love of flying led her to joining the Civil Air Patrol, where she achieved the rank of Captain and was a Wing Commander in Vermont.
Heidi loved animals, gardening, cooking, travel, and her family. Her passion for travel took her on multiple trips to Asia, including trekking in Nepal.
She is survived by her son, Peter; three siblings; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Bethel-Lympus church on Gay Hill Road in Bethel.