BROOKS — Nicole “Nikki” Grayling, 41, passed away from natural causes on May 27, 2023. She was born in Augusta on February 8, 1982, to Jay and Becky (Greene) Luce.

Nikki was a 2000 graduate of Cony High School and a 2004 graduate of the University of New Hampshire. Thereafter, she worked as a care-worker for troubled adolescents in Massachusetts until, following an injury in that job, she returned to Maine, pursuing career opportunities while working in food establishments and, at one point, as an administrative assistant for the Hancock County DAs Office.

Following her marriage and the births of her two sons, while living in Dedham, Nikki began her journey into self-reflection which led to her living independently in Hancock/Waldo County area and honing her gardening as well as jewelry and crochet crafting skills to supplement income from other jobs, as she continued to strive to be a positive influence on her young boys. Despite her entrepreneurial vision and determination, a lack of affordable housing and strong desire to live off the grid eventually led her to purchase land and build a modest home in an isolated area where her self-sufficiency continued to be tested, and where she gained the friendship and support of similarly-motivated people around her during its construction, the first grueling winter, and throughout her journey.

Nikki’s unclouded perceptive abilities, self-discipline and remarkable strength of spirit, though sometimes baffling to those concerned for her well-being, allowed her to see through to individual humanity, making her comfortable with the wide variety of people in one of Maine’s most rural and economically undeveloped areas, just a few miles away from the more affluent coast. It also was the foundation for her devotion to her sons, which she maintained despite the living challenges she faced. Nikki was intentional in her life choices and embraced and crafted each challenge toward self-reliance.

Nikki is survived by her two adored sons, Graysen, 10, and Sterling, 8, Troger and their father, Jerry, of Dedham; her mother, Becky Greene and step-father Peter Grant of Waterville; her father, Jay and step-mother Sue Luce of New Portland; her maternal grandmother, Carmela Greene of Hallowell; step-brothers Brandon Grant (Melissa) of Yarmouth and Glenn Grant of Portland; step-sisters Brandi Mullen (Chad) and Tabatha Burke (Nate); uncles (and partners/spouses) Danny Greene (Sue Palakawong), Garry Greene (Chris), Allen Greene (Janice), and Vincent Greene (Julie Foster), Jo Connors (Glenn), Rita Davis (Dave), Claire Luce (Jim; Butch Bowring (Carolyn); and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her maternal grandfather, John Greene; her paternal grandparents, Herbert and Violet Luce; 

A Celebration of life will be held at a later time to be scheduled.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com.