TRIBUTES have been paid to a hair salon worker who was killed in a road accident.
Nikki Jackson, 28, had worked as a receptionist at Scissors in Watergate Street since she was 16 years old. This week staff and customers were feeling overwhelmed with sadness because Nikki of South Way, Blacon, was such a larger than life character and a loving person.
Girls from the hairdressers visited Nikki's mum and dad, Sue and Derek, at the home they shared with Nikki where they told them how 'devastated' everyone felt.
Nikki's mum Sue, who works for Boots in Foregate Street, said: 'She was so bubbly, so outgoing, and we are very proud of her.
'She loved her work and she was so loved. We have cards and even now we don't know who half the cards are from. She had a massive circle of friends.'
Nikki, who leaves sister Charlene, 26 and brothers Craig, 24 and Luke, 20, was killed instantly after her Ford Fiesta left the road and hit a tree on Parkgate Road about
9.15pm on Friday at Mollington.
She was due to return home as she always did at about 10pm on a work night but was dropping off a friend, the front seat passenger, who lies seriously injured in the intensive care unit of the Countess.
Sue said Mike and Jo Longden, of Mollington, who came across the accident, had since written and reassured them their daughter did not suffer, which had brought 'so much comfort'.
The cause of the accident remains a mystery but Nikki's father Derek, who works for Evans Halshaw (formerly Quick's) in Saltney, said police believed the car had either aquaplaned following heavy rain or had swerved to avoid an animal.
The couple saw Nikki for the last time on Friday teatime as their daughter dashed in and out as usual before meeting friends.
'She was on about the Grand National; saying 'Have you had a bet?' ' said Derek.
'And her horses came second and third,' said Sue.
Nikki, a former Newton Primary and Upton High School pupil, used to play football until she discovered pubs.
'She was always texting,' said Sue. 'Often she would have two phones and would be talking on one and texting on the other.'
Nikki's boss Janette, who treated her 'like a daughter' has written to the family along with the staff at Scissors who said they would miss her 'mischievous ways, her playing jokes, her text messages and her personal touch with clients'.
They described Nikki as the salon organiser who would always take charge of collections for the Lottery, horse racing bets and the kitty for staff parties. nFamily and friends are welcome to attend Nikki's funeral at 12.30pm on Friday, April 21 at Blacon Crematorium followed by a reception at the Eight Rights pub. Donations are requested for the children's ward at the Countess where Nikki's niece was recently treated for suspected meningitis.
