Nicole was born in Happy Valley-Goose Bay Labrador, on May 6, 1970. Her parents Clayton and Faye Hill had come to Labrador for work from the island of Newfoundland after the fishery collapsed. Nicole was a happy bundle of joy growing up with her family in Labrador. In school Nicole excelled at many subjects especially drama, and music. She was very active in sports and became an accomplished gymnast, travelling to many competitions and even became Newfoundland champ in her category in St. John’s and received a gold medal at the Canada winter games. After she graduated from high school, Nicole attended Memorial University in St. John’s and eventually moved on to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in pursuit of her Bachelors Degree as a Recreation Therapist. After Nicole received her degree she eventually landed a job at St. Francis Xavier in Antagonish teaching physical education classes. One of her classmates from Dalhousie was working in B.C., and Nicole mentioned to her; if a good job comes up give me a call. She got that call and applied for a job in Burns Lake at an extended care facility called The Pines. Nicole was a dedicated Recreation Therapist, she was respected by her colleagues and she was innovative in her field. She helped other long term care facilities set up and run a Snoezelen room, which is a quiet therapy area, that people with dementia can experience stimulation with lights, touch, and sound. Nicole met her second husband Tom at the Pines when he was visiting his father in the home. They fell in love right away and were married in 2000 after a short courtship and engagement. Nicky and Tom were trying to start a family, but for medical reasons were unable to conceive. Soon they started the long process of adoption. After several years of waiting Nicole finally got the call she was waiting for. A little girl had been born in Nelson and the birth mother had picked them to be the parents. Tom and Nicole drove through the night to pick up their new baby, a gorgeous five day old girl, Emily. Nicole was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in April of 2010 she fought this terrible disease with courage and grace. Tom never left her side, caring for her through the long battle and he was with her, holding her hand when she passed away in the Burns Lake Hospital on July 20, 2011. Nicole’s many friends and family were constantly by her bedside. In her last days, her room was filled with laughter, tears, and of course lots of hugs, she was famous among her friends for her hugginess. We will miss our Labrador Rose, she was a shining light in our lives and she will be forever remembered for her compassion for others especially her residents. Nicole would want others to go forward in their lives in defiance of the illness which took her life, and love each other everyday with the same spirit she lived hers. Nicole is predeceased by her father Clayton Hill. She is survived by her mother Faye Hill, her husband Tom Johnson, her daughter Emily, her sisters Penny (Chris) Allen and Janet (Brian) Hammond and brother Tony (Karen) Hill. Nicole’s ashes will be buried by the church in Newfoundland where her father’s final resting spot is and where her daughter Emily was christened. We can tell you that when a new resident would come to live at The Pines many times they would have dementia and be scared and confused, but this angel would be looking them in the face with her beautiful smile telling them that it will be okay and maybe they would like to come for a dance.