Barbara Lee Nicholls

Nicholls, Barbara L. passed away surrounded by family on October 4, 2013 in Carmichael, CA. She was 75 years old. Barbara was born in Elko, NV on May 3, 1937. She grew up through her teenage years in Elko, but then moved around the bay area and central California area through high school. Her father was an executive for the Western Pacific, so they moved often during her teenage years. She graduated high school in Stockton in 1955. She attended and graduated from CSU Sacramento with a BS degree. Sacramento State is where she met her husband of almost 51 years, Ronald Nicholls. They were married on April 9, 1960. After Barbara graduated from CSU Sacramento, she began working as a laboratory technologist at Mercy General Hospital. She continued to work at Mercy General in the same field for 45. She relished in baking for both her hospital and Mercy San Juan laboratory staff every holiday season. She loved country music and was as devoted to her cats as her own children. She was a devoted and loving mother showing her devotion by volunteering her time for her children’s activities. She was a team mom for softball, scorekeeper for baseball, swim team volunteer, and Girl Scout leader. And always a cheer leader for whatever endeavor her children took on. She will be remembered and missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Barbara is survived by her children: Wendy O’Hare, Craig Nicholls, and Bryan Nicholls, grandchildren: Kayla & Katelynn O’Hare, Brittney Nicholls.

There will be a memorial service on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Mount Vernon Memorial Park 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA. A reception will immediately follow at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Barbara’s name to Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary 6001 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95819. Barbara was a longtime advocate and lover of animals.