Ruth Anne Nicholls. R.I.P.

 

Miss Nicholls was my English teacher for several years in a row at OCHS. She was a profile in grace and courage.

Obituary of Ruth Anne Nicholls

November 24, 1946 - May 24, 2025

Be welcomed gently into the hands of God. 

Ruth Anne Nicholls, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, colleague, teacher and friend passed away peacefully at the age of 78. Ruth was born in Oshawa, the eldest child of the late Allan and Elizabeth ( Normoyle) Nicholls. Ruth was predeceased by her treasured brother John and her much-loved nephew Andrew. She will be missed by her loving sister Nancy; caring sister-in-law Margaret; cherished niece Alison, her husband Ian Dunn and their children Abigail and Henry; special niece-in-law Heather; her dear companion on this journey, Anne, and the Brady, Normoyle and Nicholls families. 

Faith, family, and friends were the cornerstones of Ruth's life. She was God's devoted servant as she lived and modelled her faith in everything she did. Miss Nicholls will long be remembered by staff and students at Oshawa Catholic High school (Paul Dwyer) and Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School. Her teaching style reflected the values instilled in her by her parents as she participated fully in her community. Beyond teaching, Ruth's greatest joy was family, sharing enthusiastically in their accomplishments as their numbers grew. In addition, Ruth was so very grateful for the many friends that she had, and it was important to her to always maintain these relationships. 

Missing her is a given. Remembering her with love, respect and admiration is a privilege. May her memory be a blessing. 

Donations may be made to Covenant House Toronto, or a charity of your choice. 

1970-1971 Teachers Continued

Going left to right, row by row:  Miss Holland (she taught me math.  Good math teacher with a British accent), Mrs. Kearns (she taught me French as well.  Glad for the French now, not because of the Quebec riverside summer home, but because of the regular visits to Provence in France), Sister Marie Howorth (she taught me Latin).  Tony Meagher (later priest and bishop -- he taught me English).  Miss Ruth Nicholls (had her for a number of years, always enjoyed her classes).  And we come to the inimitable Graham See (had a great jocular relationship with him, and developed pics for him.  RIP).  Mrs. Thompson (she taught me History.  One day Shorty [Glenn] McLaughlin made her cry.  The latest fad at the time was streaking your hair.  She had her hair streaked.  When she entered the classroom, Shorty said "Good Morning Mrs. Zebra".  It did not go over well.).  And then there is Tony White our gym teacher.

Teacher Ruth Nicholls at the Reunion

Ruth Nicholls has had a long career as a teacher at OCHS/Dwyer.  She taught me English in her early years of teaching.  Here she is pictured at the reunion.

Interim Report Card

Interim Report Card from November 1970. These were printed on spirit duplication machines. That year, my English teacher was Tony Meagher -- later a priest and eventually a bishop. Those are his initials in the English section. In Science it was Frank Sachetti who initialed here. I just remembered the French teacher -- it was Mrs. Kearns. I don't have a photo of her. And Ruth Nicholls taught typing that year. I have never regretted taking typing. (Click on the photo for a bigger picture).

Ruth Nicholls

Ruth Nicholls taught English when I was at OCHS. I believe that this was her first year of teaching at OCHS when this photo was snapped.

Ruth Nicholls

Ruth Nicholls taught languages. I had her for English. She was an amazing teacher who triumphed over medical issues and had a long teaching career.

It was Shawn O'Driscoll who wrote "Teacher" on the blackboard.