Brett Nicole Thompson Glidden
June 3, 1967-April 12, 2021
Brett Nicole Thompson Glidden, also known as Niki, passed away April 12, 2021, at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, after a long struggle with a rare form of cancer.
Niki was born on June 3, 1967, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Dr. Robert and Patricia (Hadley) Thompson.
She grew up on the eastern shore of Maryland, attending schools in St. Michaels and Easton. She then went on to the Rhode Island School of Design for three years before transferring to the University of Washington in St. Louis to finish her degree in Metalsmithing.
Her post-graduate journey took her to New York City, Washington, D.C., Albuquerque, St. Louis and many places in between. She worked as a goldsmith, taught middle school art, worked in a psychiatric hospital for adolescents, co-owned and operated a parking lot, waited tables and tended bar. She continued graduate level studies in art therapy and social work. She even went to cosmetology school for something “practical” to do.
In 2002, Niki went to “spend a summer” in Homer, but fell in love with the community and decided to stay, opening the popular hair salon 2-2 Tango.
She was introduced to her future husband, Aaron Glidden, in 2002 by a mutual friend. They married in 2005 in Las Vegas, and together they have raised two kind, courageous and creative daughters who are now 15.
Niki continued to work for the benefit of others, finding her calling in human services. She worked at a women’s shelter, various rehab centers, and a became a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor. She was most proud of helping launch the REC Room — a local teen center.
Niki has always had a strong spiritual foundation in the teachings of the Quakers and sought to integrate the tenets of simplicity, peace, integrity, community and equality into her daily life.
She was gracious, creative and fun. She loved music, dancing and the occasional cocktail. She loved road trips and camping adventures – preferably with a dog at her side. She loved animals and adolescents. She loved board games, lawn games, trivia, books, podcasts, documentaries, art, fashion and literature. She loved shoes, costumes and going out on the town. She was always ready for a celebration – and was ever collecting gifts to give to friends and family. She loved sharing good stories and spending good time with good friends. She even enjoyed a good argument now and again.
Niki will be remembered for her generosity, integrity, kindness, creativity and sense of humor.
Niki is survived by her husband, Aaron Glidden; daughters Bryce Marin and Hadley Gale Glidden; niece, Gillian Galotti; nephew, Brady Werts; her father, Dr. Robert C. Thompson; rabbits Wiggles and Bun-Bun; and cat Pumpkin.
Her death was preceded by family members Patricia (Hadley) Thompson, Suzanne (Thompson) Galotti, and four-legged family members Eddie, Jack, Daisy, June, Benny and Blossom.
A celebration to honor and commemorate Niki’s life will be held on her birthday Thursday, June 3, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the REC Room or Cancer Research.
