"We used to go to Sunday School on Sunday morning and we would come back and there was always a beautiful big meal.
"She just had a sweet hand in the kitchen, made beautiful food."
Her mother was also fond of food preservation and would bottle jars of delights for family members and friends.
However, to Ms Kingi, her mother was simply her mum, she said.
"I just saw her as my mother, that we were clean, well fed and disciplined. She was the one that kept the home with eight children.
"She made sure she loved her kids right to the end.
"She still told us what to do right to the very end. She was the mother through and through. But she was a very strong woman. I'd say that is what she was known for. She knew what she wanted and she didn't stand nonsense from people. She never minced words," she said.
Mrs Nicholas loved to travel and camp throughout New Zealand, she said.
"She always kept herself active and was a competitive woman. That's probably why she did all right at the bowling.
"We are not actually too sure how well she did do because she never boasted or spoke too highly of it herself.
"But if I could have half of her strength I would be happy."
Daughter Judy Kingi said her mother loved to dance.
"Boy, she loved dancing, ballroom type dancing, the quick step. Everybody thought she was a natural because she was so light on her feet.
"She was a natural at dancing and the family thought she had the best shaped legs."
Her mother was also known for her singing.
Bowling buddy Di Russell said Mrs Nicholas was a top notch bowler and Omokoroa Bowling Club member from 1995 to 2013.
"She was a naturally gifted bowler who had the confidence to try anything.
"A very competitive player who won many club trophies and championships, Doreen was also very good with new young players and encouraged them by taking them out to open tournaments."Ruth Keber
