Nikki was a beloved member of the local journalism and literary scenes and dedicated her work to bringing broader attention to unique local people and businesses that made her, as she said, proud to live in Cleveland.
"More than anything, she was kind, in an age when we need kindness," Cleveland.com said in a statement on her passing.
Nikki was a contributing dining editor at Scene for two years before she was hired at Cleveland.com. The outpouring of love and support on social media testifies to her enormous, if quiet, influence on the region.
Nikki Delamotte epitomized smart, community-focused, fair journalism. She had her finger on the pulse and reported widely and enthusiastically on our area’s arts and culture.She uncovered so many hidden gems and highlighted countless unsung heros.A profound and devastating loss.
— mahalls 20 lanes (@Mahalls20Lanes) November 12, 2018
Journalism tends to attract cranky people, or make them that way. But @nikkidelamotte was a rare exception. I’ve never known another who seemed so unapologetically committed to using writing to prove that people are basically good. This is tragic.
— Frank W. Lewis (@IAmTheJRSYDVL) November 12, 2018
Many of us knew @nikkidelamotte as an acquaintance, but her death feels like losing a close friend because she wrote and cared about the little things that have a big place in our hearts - our pets, our favorite bands, the diner around the corner. My sympathies to her loved ones.
— Terry Metter (@TerryMetterJr) November 12, 2018
As Nikki's friends and family grieve, there are ways for the community to celebrate her life and support her family. An official GoFundMe campaign has launched and can be found here. It will pay for memorial costs and for the support of Nikki's mom, boyfriend and cats. An in-person fundraiser will be held at The Side Quest bar on Friday. In addition to raffles and donations, the bar will contribute 15 percent of the evening's sales to Nikki's memorial.
Thursday, at 6:15 p.m., a candlelight vigil will be held at Edgewater Park. People will gather at the Cleveland sign on the upper level and are asked to bring their own candles. Shining a light on Cleveland, together, is certainly an appropriate way to celebrate Nikki's life and work.
