Nicole "Nicki" Leanne McLain was born in Danville, IL, on December 10th,1971, to Vicki and Russ Hendrickson. In September of 2025, she received devastating news after a checkup appointment that she had cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). Since her diagnosis, she vowed to fight and that is exactly what she did up until the very end. Nicki passed away on May 7th, 2026, in her childhood home surrounded by her family.

She was beautiful, witty, vivacious, hardworking, intelligent, fierce, and kindhearted. She attended Olivet University and earned her bachelor’s degree in social work and received her master’s degree from the University of Illinois. After creating many unforgettable memories and experiencing life in a variety of beautiful places such as Tennessee, Idaho, and Utah, she moved home with her kids and opened her own practice called River’s Edge Therapy in Covington, IN. There, she spent many years running her practice, providing healing and life-changing therapy to all that saw her. She was known for her incredible therapy work, her sharp mind, and her innate ability to heal, foster growth, and help others articulate and process events in their life. She was also known to be an amazing mother, who loved and lived for her kids, Adisyn and Finn. They were her greatest joy.

An absolute rarity, Nicki stood out in life wherever she went, planting seeds of positive impact with every step she took. Nicki loved nature and movement of the body. She enjoyed hiking, skiing, swimming, running, and paddle boarding. She found the most joy out in the Idaho and Utah mountains having adventures with her kids and noted it as a big part of her happiest memories approaching her passing.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Wayne & Leah Weidenburner; and paternal grandparents, Russell & Betty Hendrickson.

Nicole is survived by her daughter, Adisyn McLain and her son, Finnian "Finn" McLain; sister, Jami Hoskins and her kids, nieces, Alexa (Khole) Stephen and Khynzli Stephen; nephews, Aidan (Tayler) Hoskins, and Jace (Reagan) Hoskins; as well as her parents, Russ and Vicki Hendrickson.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, at Covington First Assembly of God, 421 Market St., Covington, IN, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST. Funeral services immediately following visitation at 1:00 p.m.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Marilyn’s Village (formerly Maple Corner) 1126 Liberty St., Covington, IN after the funeral until 4:00 p.m. EST. 

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