Dorothy Ruth Nicholas

Dorothy Ruth Nicholas (age 91) Dorothy Nicholas was born in Seattle, Washington on March 24, 1925 to Marjorie and Merrett Adams. She had two older sisters, Jean and Cora. At the age of 16, she and her parents moved to their new home on the east side of Lake Washington where she attended high school, finishing up and graduating from Broadway High School. Dorothy met Lloyd Nicholas in December, just before Pearl Harbor 1941. They were married October 22, 1942 and also lived on Lake Washington. They had two sons, Dan and Clifford. After the war, Lloyd started his own business and they moved to Juanita, Washington. The business flourished. Even with help, Lloyd was working long hours. When the boys asked, “does Daddy still live here?”, it was time to think about giving up a very lucrative business and spending time with the family. They sold their home and business to move to a large ranch in Eastern Washington. It was a sheep ranch at that time, then sheep and cattle, and finally cattle. Dorothy was a city gal through and through, but she took to ranching like a duck to water. Work was hard; they all pitched in. After five years, they sold and moved to Moses Lake for five years where the boys finished their education. Ranching was still in Lloyd and Dorothy’s blood, so they bought another ranch just ten miles from Moses Lake. More hard work and long hours ensued. Both boys went into the service - Dan in the Navy and Cliff in the National Guard. After getting the Bar 40 in good shape, Lloyd and Dorothy moved to Springdale, Washington, where they raised horses for the pure pleasure of horses. They stayed there for 18 years. Retiring, Lloyd and Dorothy moved to Seven Areas of Heaven in the foothills of Clayton, Washington, just five miles out of Deer Park. They had a lovely country home, surrounded with trees. It was peaceful and quiet, and many wild animals came to visit, including 30 deer, many who came when Dorothy called. Twelve bird feeders kept her busy filling them for the many birds. Does with fawns came by and laid down to rest just five feet from Lloyd and Dorothy. There were skunks, muskrats, and two bear cubs that were fun to watch. Lloyd took ill at that place; Dorothy nursed him for the 7 1/2 years they lived there. They moved to Spokane in 1993, where Lloyd passed away a year later. Dorothy joined him on May 23, 2016 at the age of 91. She leaves one son, Clifford, four granddaughters, four great granddaughters, and one great grandson. Son, Dan, pre-deceased her. Dorothy had a varied and interesting life. “Being married to Lloyd, I got enough education for 2-3 colleges. I was never bored, never had to find myself, life was full!” Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N Division St, Spokane, WA 99207. Donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur, Spokane, WA 99202, or the charity of your choice.