Christina Lorraine Nicodem

Christina Lorraine Nicodem passed away at the age of 57, at her home in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Born February 13, 1964 in British Columbia, Canada, she was the fifth of 5 children born to Alex and Mildred Tarasoff. She spent her early years in the Okanagan area of British Columbia, finally landing in Grand Forks, where she attended elementary through high school.

Christina was very athletic, and particularly enjoyed figure skating. She was quite young when she married Bill Zarubin, but finished high school, with a desire to continue her education. As it turned out, it would be many years before that happened.

It was during this time that she became a mother – not once, but twice – bringing Michael and Vanessa Zarubin into the world. Christina’s joy was her children. From the time they started school, she volunteered to be a teacher’s assistant, working at one of the local schools.

Christina and Bill eventually went separate ways, and Christina – along with the children – moved to South Carolina. Christina regularly attended Pineville Nazarene Church in Charlotte, NC for many years. It was there that she was baptized. And it was also where, on March 29, 2003, she married Frank David Nicodem, Jr.

Still, the idea of continuing her education at the college level niggled at her. She eventually decided to go back to school to earn her college degree. She first attended York Technical College in Rock Hill, SC. And after successfully graduating with an Associates degree, she continued at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, where she chose a Chemistry degree – one of the most difficult degrees . In December of 2012, Christina graduated as valedictorian of her class, and recipient of the Tillman Award, presented to the student with the highest grade point average. She was 48 years old at the time. No one could have been happier.

Christina loved to travel, particularly anywhere that involved a cruise. She and her husband, Frank, frequently traveled to various locations in the Caribbean, as well as to Mexico, England, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, and other locations in the North of Europe.

Christina was preceded in death by her mother Mildred Tarasoff. She is survived by her father Alex Tarasoff; siblings Walter Tarasoff, Nadia Reynolds, Ivan Tarasoff, and Natalie Wyper; and her children Michael and Vanessa Zarubin.

A service to celebrate Christina’s life will be held at the Pineville Nazarene Church, 8614 Hwy 51, Charlotte, NC, on a date and time yet to be announced.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts or offer condolences, please contact www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.