1915
Ruth
2012
Ruth Hopkins Nichols
January 4, 1915 — October 6, 2012
ENOSBURG FALLS, VT- Ruth Elizabeth Hopkins Nichols, 97, passed Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans.
Ruth, the eldest of four siblings, was born on January 4, 1915 to the late William and Harriet (Steere) Hopkins in Providence, Rhode Island.
Education was a life principle for Ruth. She worked her way through Rhode Island State (later renamed to University of Rhode Island) during the Great Depression to earn her BA in Education. In her 50s she returned to college part time in Boston, SUNY Oneonta, UVM and Johnson State to earn her Librarians Certificate from the State of Vermont.
Ruth was a lifelong educator. She began teaching English at Enosburg Falls High School in 1937. In 1939 after Ruth was married, she filled in as a substitute in local one room school houses. In 1953 Ruth returned to the classroom teaching English, Drama and Music at Brigham Academy in Bakersfield until its closure in 1966. That same year Ruth was recruited to become Richford Jr/Sr High Schools first Librarian until her retirement in 1986. After her retirement from formal education Ruth continued teaching us the lessons on a daily basis, even on her last week of life on this earth.
Family, Church, and Community were also paramount for Ruth. Music was her avocation as she conducted various community and school choruses. In addition Ruth was the choir director at the Enosburg Falls Methodist Church for over 24 years until 1997.
Ruth is survived by her sons Leonard and Carolyn Nichols of East Berkshire, Paul and Lise Nichols of Enosburgh. Daughters Ruth West of Stamford, VT, Rachel Nichols Lamoureux of Enosburg Falls and daughter-in-law, Marilee (Lawson) Nichols, of Sebring Florida. Sister-in-laws Mrs. Marion (Nichols) Scarborough, Mrs. Eleanor (Nichols) Aurand and her husband Leonard.
Ruth was blessed with 16 grandchildren: Jard Nichols of Jacksonville, FL; Benjamin Nichols of Berkshire; Christopher Nichols of Bealeton, VA; Susan Nichols of Berkshire (children of Leonard Nichols); Brian Nichols of Lyndonville; Kathleen Nichols of Lyndonville (children of George Nichols); Peter Nichols of Greensboro Bend; Allen Nichols of Swanton; Amos Nichols of Hardwick; Keith Nichols of Hardwick (children of Paul Nichols); Rebecca West Kramer of Barboursville, VA; Sarah West Tomlinson of Fort Collins, CO; Joseph West of Potsdam, NY (children of Ruth West); Philip G. N. Lamoureux of Loudonville, NY; Bradley Lamoureux of Halfmoon, NY; and Gregory Lamoureux of Enosburg Falls (children of Rachel Lamoureux).
Ruth also leaves 16 great-grandchildren, of whom she was especially proud: Lauren Nichols (Jard Nichols) Sebastian and Karina Nichols (Benjamin Nichols) Logan and Isaac Nichols (Christopher Nichols), Gillian and Grace Nichols (Peter Nichols), Noah and Sophie Nichols, (Allen Nichols), Kirbie, MacKenzie, Rylie and Dylanie Nichols, Cory and Erin Gammell (Brian Nichols), Isabelle Dodge (Kathleen Nichols), and Carter and Kaisa Thompson (Sarah Tomlinson). Besides her parents, Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 36 years George H. Nichols of Enosburgh, her son George L. Nichols of Lyndonville, VT, Ruths siblings Harriet Adams of Scituate RI, Lois Deware of Cranston RI and Robert Hopkins of Cranston, RI.
Ruth leaves a great impact on her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, students, protgs, colleagues and countless close friends, with whom she had shared so much love throughout the years. She was the great mentor and surrogate mother, aunt, sister and grandmother to all.
Ruth was very grateful for all who assisted her over the last many years resulting in her staying vital and active. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Audrey Von LePel for tweaking the grandmother clock over the last 18 years assisting her to age with grace. To Dr. Marco and Franklin County Rehab for their professionalism giving her the opportunity to return home in Enosburg Falls. To Franklin County Home Health for assisting her needs and helping her family to continue achieving the goal of living in her own home with dignity. A special thank you to Laura LaFreniere, NP and the exceptional staff on the MedSurg unit for their above and beyond efforts to help Ruth through her final days and to the Northwestern Medical Center over the past year.
Come! Join us! All are welcomed in the celebration of Ruths full and fruitful life Saturday, October 13th at 10:00 AM at The Enosburgh Opera House, 123 Depot Street, Enosburg Falls, as we lift up and appreciate the colorful life of our modest mother. Please feel free to display Ruths favorite colors lavender, lilac and shades of purple. Interment will follow in the Enosbugh Center Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, October 12th from 3-7 PM at Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Avenue, Enosburg Falls, VT.
Abiding with Ruths firm wishes remembering she was a product of the depression, in lieu of flowers, please make contributions in her memory for the expressed purpose of the future historical preservation project of the Memorial Congregational Church of Enosburgh Center, C/O Sylvia Nichols Allen, Treasurer, 161 Lost Nation Rd., Essex Jct., VT 05452 or The Friends of the Opera House at Enosburgh, P.O. Box 1250, Enosburg Falls, VT 05450.
Ruth, the eldest of four siblings, was born on January 4, 1915 to the late William and Harriet (Steere) Hopkins in Providence, Rhode Island.
Education was a life principle for Ruth. She worked her way through Rhode Island State (later renamed to University of Rhode Island) during the Great Depression to earn her BA in Education. In her 50s she returned to college part time in Boston, SUNY Oneonta, UVM and Johnson State to earn her Librarians Certificate from the State of Vermont.
Ruth was a lifelong educator. She began teaching English at Enosburg Falls High School in 1937. In 1939 after Ruth was married, she filled in as a substitute in local one room school houses. In 1953 Ruth returned to the classroom teaching English, Drama and Music at Brigham Academy in Bakersfield until its closure in 1966. That same year Ruth was recruited to become Richford Jr/Sr High Schools first Librarian until her retirement in 1986. After her retirement from formal education Ruth continued teaching us the lessons on a daily basis, even on her last week of life on this earth.
Family, Church, and Community were also paramount for Ruth. Music was her avocation as she conducted various community and school choruses. In addition Ruth was the choir director at the Enosburg Falls Methodist Church for over 24 years until 1997.
Ruth is survived by her sons Leonard and Carolyn Nichols of East Berkshire, Paul and Lise Nichols of Enosburgh. Daughters Ruth West of Stamford, VT, Rachel Nichols Lamoureux of Enosburg Falls and daughter-in-law, Marilee (Lawson) Nichols, of Sebring Florida. Sister-in-laws Mrs. Marion (Nichols) Scarborough, Mrs. Eleanor (Nichols) Aurand and her husband Leonard.
Ruth was blessed with 16 grandchildren: Jard Nichols of Jacksonville, FL; Benjamin Nichols of Berkshire; Christopher Nichols of Bealeton, VA; Susan Nichols of Berkshire (children of Leonard Nichols); Brian Nichols of Lyndonville; Kathleen Nichols of Lyndonville (children of George Nichols); Peter Nichols of Greensboro Bend; Allen Nichols of Swanton; Amos Nichols of Hardwick; Keith Nichols of Hardwick (children of Paul Nichols); Rebecca West Kramer of Barboursville, VA; Sarah West Tomlinson of Fort Collins, CO; Joseph West of Potsdam, NY (children of Ruth West); Philip G. N. Lamoureux of Loudonville, NY; Bradley Lamoureux of Halfmoon, NY; and Gregory Lamoureux of Enosburg Falls (children of Rachel Lamoureux).
Ruth also leaves 16 great-grandchildren, of whom she was especially proud: Lauren Nichols (Jard Nichols) Sebastian and Karina Nichols (Benjamin Nichols) Logan and Isaac Nichols (Christopher Nichols), Gillian and Grace Nichols (Peter Nichols), Noah and Sophie Nichols, (Allen Nichols), Kirbie, MacKenzie, Rylie and Dylanie Nichols, Cory and Erin Gammell (Brian Nichols), Isabelle Dodge (Kathleen Nichols), and Carter and Kaisa Thompson (Sarah Tomlinson). Besides her parents, Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 36 years George H. Nichols of Enosburgh, her son George L. Nichols of Lyndonville, VT, Ruths siblings Harriet Adams of Scituate RI, Lois Deware of Cranston RI and Robert Hopkins of Cranston, RI.
Ruth leaves a great impact on her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, students, protgs, colleagues and countless close friends, with whom she had shared so much love throughout the years. She was the great mentor and surrogate mother, aunt, sister and grandmother to all.
Ruth was very grateful for all who assisted her over the last many years resulting in her staying vital and active. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Audrey Von LePel for tweaking the grandmother clock over the last 18 years assisting her to age with grace. To Dr. Marco and Franklin County Rehab for their professionalism giving her the opportunity to return home in Enosburg Falls. To Franklin County Home Health for assisting her needs and helping her family to continue achieving the goal of living in her own home with dignity. A special thank you to Laura LaFreniere, NP and the exceptional staff on the MedSurg unit for their above and beyond efforts to help Ruth through her final days and to the Northwestern Medical Center over the past year.
Come! Join us! All are welcomed in the celebration of Ruths full and fruitful life Saturday, October 13th at 10:00 AM at The Enosburgh Opera House, 123 Depot Street, Enosburg Falls, as we lift up and appreciate the colorful life of our modest mother. Please feel free to display Ruths favorite colors lavender, lilac and shades of purple. Interment will follow in the Enosbugh Center Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, October 12th from 3-7 PM at Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Avenue, Enosburg Falls, VT.
Abiding with Ruths firm wishes remembering she was a product of the depression, in lieu of flowers, please make contributions in her memory for the expressed purpose of the future historical preservation project of the Memorial Congregational Church of Enosburgh Center, C/O Sylvia Nichols Allen, Treasurer, 161 Lost Nation Rd., Essex Jct., VT 05452 or The Friends of the Opera House at Enosburgh, P.O. Box 1250, Enosburg Falls, VT 05450.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Hopkins Nichols, please visit our flower store.
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