NICOLLS, Ruth E.

Ruth E. Nicolls, 62, of Flagstaff, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003. Mrs. Nicolls was born in Kaunas, Lithuania, on May 1, 1940, as the first child to John J. and Katryna E. Vaiciulenas. In 1951, the family immigrated to the United States and lived in Worland, Wyo. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing in May 1963, and married Ken E. Nicolls on Dec. 19, 1964. In 1978, Mrs. Nicolls earned a master of arts degree in pediatric nursing from the University of Iowa. She worked her way from clinical nursing instructor to tenured associate professor of nursing at Northern Arizona University. She taught pediatrics and fundamentals of nursing and participated in departmental administration as an assistant department chairperson and director of student services dealing with student advisement and admissions. She served on the College of Health Professions department committee, the state nursing board and the board of directors of Northland Community Health Center. Mrs. Nicolls retired from Northern Arizona University on June 30, 2002, and had a stroke on Sept. 3, 2002, followed by a long illness. She enjoyed pleasure reading, walking, morning coffee, preparing for major holidays and shopping with her family and close friends. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Ken E. Nicolls; sons John Nicolls, James Nicolls and Jason Nicolls; sister Ingrid E. Vaiciulenas Armstrong; and brother Bernhard J. Vaiciulenas. Services for Mrs. Nicolls will be Friday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m., at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. The Rev. Don F. McMillan will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Ruth E. Nicolls Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund at the NAU Department of Nursing, P.O. Box 15035. Contributions for stroke research and medical care may also be made to the Barrow Neurological Foundation, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norvel Owens Mortuary.