PNEUMONIA CLAIMS WIFE OF LONGTIME PASTOR
JUPITER — Nicole Arnold had a “quiet spirit” and an inviting smile, said Tiffini Brown, a friend of 18 years. She was the “quintessential” homemaker, the mother of three daughters — Kaitlyn, 18; Olivia, 14; and Alexis, 7 — and wife and soul mate to Scott Arnold, Journey Church’s senior pastor, for 21 years.
“There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for a friend,” said Brown, an associate pastor at the Jupiter Farms church, 12600 W. Indiantown Road.
Nicole Arnold died Monday
after complications from the flu and pneumonia, Brown said. She was 46.
Arnold last Thursday shared on Facebook that she had gotten the flu and later updated her status.
Thursday, Aug. 23 at 9:41 a.m.: “Flu, I hate you!” she wrote in a public post. Even though she was feeling feverish, she said, she shuttled two of her three daughters to and from the doctor’s office.
Friday, Aug. 24 at 8:25 p.m.: “It’s so hard to rest when you’re the mom & everyone is sick. It’s like a domino effect,” she wrote in a comment to a friend. “It’s been an exhausting week to be sick.”
By Sunday, Scott Arnold wasn’t able to lead the church, Brown said. He had to take his wife to Jupiter Medical Center.
He also shared updates about her status on Facebook.
Monday, Aug. 27 at 6:11 a.m.: “Nicole has taken a turn for the worse,” Scott Arnold wrote in a public post, and added that she was transferred to the intensive care unit.
Four hours later, another update: “This morning my wonderful wife Passed from this life unto the eternal . ... Her heart gave out today but I know she gave everything that she had to God, to me, and our family.”
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County said there have been no reports of higher-than-normal flu activity here.
Nicole and Scott Arnold met at a Bible study, and upon meeting him Nicole’s mother knew they were meant to be together, according to her obituary. At Journey Church, she served with the women’s ministry.
Scott Arnold also leads the mentoring program Team Sports Ministries for William T. Dwyer,
Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Lakes and Jupiter high schools. Jupiter High’s head football coach Tim Tharp called Nicole a “tremendously strong woman of faith.”
“Behind every great husband is a great wife and a support team at home,” he said.
The football team has signed cards and prayed for the Arnolds, he said.
“He’s a great father, and I know (his children are) his No. 1 priority,” he said.
To Brown, the Arnolds are family. Before Brown and Scott Arnold came to Journey Church six years ago, they were children’s pastor and youth pastor, respectively, at Church in the Gardens.
She has been acting as a liaison to help them through this difficult time. Journey Church has about 150 parishioners, but “the outpouring is so overwhelming” Brown said, as she has fielded phone calls and delegated food, school and out-of-town family.
“He’s completely devastated,” she said of Scott Arnold. “This is the love of his life.”
The GoFundMe page Brown set up to support medical expenses, funeral costs and more had raised almost $29,000 from 171 people since Monday. Most of that money will go toward the funeral, she said. Anyone who wants to donate can visit www.gofundme. com/arnold-family-support-via-journey.
Funeral services for Nicole Arnold will 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church of Tequesta after viewing and visitation at 10 a.m.
“I’m hoping people will support the family,” Brown said. “I want her memory to live on.”