Nicole Michele Peaks (Damm)surrounded by her loving family , passed away in the embrace of her beloved son, Kevin, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Nicole courageously fought the ravishes of breast cancer for several months. She was 49.



Nicole was born January 11, 1975, in Charleston, WV. She is survived and lovingly cherished by her husband, Wolfgang R. Damm and son, Kevin J. Damm of Montclair, NJ. , her parents, Elmer and Darlene Peaks of League City, Texas, a sister, Erin Peaks and a brother, James Peaks, two nieces, Arielle Veazie and Zoe Peaks, all of Houston, Texas. Her second son, Caleb, preceded her in death



Her paternal grandparents, Elmer and Doris Peaks and maternal grandparents, Carson and Emma McDonald, also preceded her in death.



Nicole is also survived by two brothers in law, Thomas Damm and Joe Damm of Switzerland and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.



Nicole was graduated with honors from Capital High School in Charleston, WV, in 1993, and her "dream" school, Yale University, in 1997. She loved all things Yale, particularly her roommates and friends. After graduation, she went to Switzerland to work for Anderson Consulting. While there, she traveled Europe, married Wolfgang and gave birth to Kevin. They moved to Montclair in 2000. She attended Montclair State University and graduated with a diploma from the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, followed by a Master's Degree in Library Media Science from Rutgers University.



She was employed at several local law offices before obtaining her current employment as Head Librarian of the Third Circuit Court in Newark, New Jersey. She was the first African American to hold that position. In 2017, she received the "Communication and Outreach Award." Nicole was able to use her considerable skills and knowledge to do legal research for the court justices and staff.



Nicole was a dancer in her soul and loved all genres from early childhood ballet to ballroom, modern, liturgical, African, flamenco and hip hop. She often said, "I live to dance!" She performed with several liturgical dance teams in her church, First United Methodist Church of Montclair as well as the community at large. Nicole and her husband, Wolfgang, met while members and partners on the Yale University Ballroom Dance Team and actively danced together through the years. She and Wolfgang were still dancing a week prior to her death.



She loved attending Broadway shows, going to the beach, taking road trips, playing the cello and spending time with family. Most recently, she was proud of contributions she made to the production of the documentary film, Black Table, shown at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival.



She was a lifelong learner with a passion for literature, social justice, law research and media creation. She loved her church and the many opportunities of service it provided. She was always seeking new life experiences. Nicole was a truly remarkable woman who strove to excel in every endeavor.



Nicole loved her family and friends fiercely and enjoyed supporting them and cheering them on. She used her media skills to archive many family events.



Her sense of humor was legendary and she would regale us with hilarious quips and stories worthy of a comedic stand up routine. She was quite adept at casting sarcasm and shade.



She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and coworker. Those who knew her will forever feel the void left by this remarkable, intelligent, creative, hilarious, loyal, loving and supportive human being and child of God.





In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (or other similar organizations) in her memory.



The family would also like to thank the many people who offered encouragement to and prayers for Nicole during her illness. We are grateful to those who provided transportation for treatment, gifts, cards, calls, messages, love and their presence. Thank you to those who brought meals during her illness and after her death. We are grateful for your love and kindness.