Sara Jane (Sally) Richards Nicolai, 85, passed away on Friday, October 26, 2018 in Naples, Florida. She had been in a period of declining health for a couple of years, but all who knew Sally, remember her vibrant lifestyle and her spirited energy when she was in good health. Sally was born in 1933 in Philadelphia, PA to Lily Tily Richards and Peirce L. Richards Jr. She attended Swarthmore College (Class of ‘54) where she majored in Art History and competed on their field hockey and swim teams. There she met her former husband Dr. Karl E. Nicolai who died in 2009. They had four children. Sally and Karl lived in Greenfield, MA for 25 years. They moved to Bardstown, KY, Pensacola, FL and lastly to Naples, FL in 2000. Sally thoroughly enjoyed her lifelong friends, going to the beach to swim and collect shells, owning and riding horses, traveling, dancing, hosting and attending parties, celebrating and making decorations for the holidays, as well as attending yoga and art museums. Sally was a fabulous cook and an avid animal lover. She was a lifetime member to the Naples Zoo. Sally was an athletic, fiery and active woman who is survived by her long-time companion John Keene, her sister Jill R. Bregy and husband Louis of Weston, CT, her four children Wendy Burgess and husband Jerry of Greenfield, MA, Peter Nicolai and wife Kristin of Park City, UT, Jennifer Nicolai and husband Richard Miller of Hatfield, MA and Jill Campbell and husband Brad of Sneads Ferry, NC. She is also survived by her five cherished grandchildren Jillian Andrews, Stephen Nicolai, Camille Campbell, Jenna Campbell and Taggart Campbell. Family and friends are welcome to donate in her name to the Naples Zoo at 1590 Goodlette Frank Rd Naples, FL 34102.