Quick Search

Ruth Raylene Nichols

Ruth Raylene  Nichols

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ruth Raylene Nichols (née Cormier), our beloved Maritime Woman. She died surrounded by her loving family on Monday, September 8, 2014 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre following a short battle with pancreatic cancer, at age 57.
Ruth was born September 16, 1956 in Amherst, Nova Scotia to her adoring parents Shirley Lee (née Allen) and the late Raymond Arthur Cormier. She is survived by her husband and soul-mate Jonathan, and her daughters Chelsea (Samuel Wilson) and Hilary (Stephanie Trafford), the lights of her life. Ruth will also be deeply missed by her brother Allen (Nancy) and sister Anne-Marie (Michael) Bausch, and a tight-knit family of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. She leaves behind many dear friends, colleagues, neighbours and students, and a whole gang of “adopted” children that she cared for as a dedicated hockey and soccer mom. She is predeceased by her infant brother Raymond.
Growing up in Amherst, Ruth became well-known and loved for her beautiful voice, her silly sense of humour, and her warm and generous spirit. Her passion for singing and acting led her to study drama, education and music at Dalhousie University, University of Calgary and Acadia University. She shared her passion for the arts with thousands of students throughout her career as a music educator, a job she was genuinely excited to go to every day. In her spare time, Ruth was a gifted musician, choir director, playwright, actress, and theatre director. Her accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but she was particularly proud of the work her students did at Spring Street Academy, her choirs, and her cast of A Maritime Woman show.
We as a family know that Ruth touched the lives of so many in the community, and she was so moved by the outpouring of love and support to herself and the family. A heartfelt thank you to the palliative care team at Cumberland Regional Healthcare Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ruth’s name to the Lillian Allbon Animal shelter or the Cumberland Regional Healthcare Foundation.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will take place on Saturday, September 13 at 11: 00 a.m. from Trinity-St. Stephen’s United Church, Amherst with Father Vernon Driscoll and Deacon Howard Gotell officiating. Reception will follow in the Burgess Hall. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 12, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm in Campbell’s Funeral Home, 98 Church St., Amherst (667-9906).
Online condolences and memories of Ruth may be forwarded to the family via: www.campbellsamherst.ca or by visiting our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ruthnicholsmaritimewoman. Her 1995 Drimindown album, A Maritime Woman, will be made available shortly for digital download on iTunes, with proceeds going to the Ruth Arden Leblanc memorial bursary for music students.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT PUBLISHED IN

Tribute

Leave a condolence

comments powered by Disqus

Quick Search

Place an Obituary

MEMORIAL WEBSITE

Create a Memorial Website