Sue Ann Lough Nickels died peacefully Feb. 23, 2023, at Shenandoah House, Augusta Medical Center in Fishersville, Virginia.
Born Sept. 19, 1946, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, she grew up in Franklin, daughter of the late Helen Blanche Propst Lough and Walton Ward Lough.
Following graduation from Franklin High School, Ms. Nickels received degrees from Potomac State College, West Virginia University and James Madison University. Her noteworthy career, teaching advanced placement English and journalism, spanned 30 years with tenure at Franklin High School and Page County and Turner Ashby High Schools in Virginia.
At FHS she began the first chapter of the John M. Dice National Honor Society and in 2004 was named Teacher of the Year at Luray High School. During graduate school years at James Madison University, she was a teaching assistant for the English department, and later became adjunct faculty. Most treasured teaching experiences were her years in Cairo, Egypt, at the Namer American College and Misr American College. After teaching abroad, she retired to Staunton, Virginia, and volunteered for the SPCA, Augusta Medical Center and Co Art. She also enjoyed teaching life-long learning classes via JMU’s adult educational programs.
She was an enthusiastic adventurer, often enjoying the challenge of traveling alone, domestically and internationally. Cooking and entertaining were also sources of pleasure, as were gardening, crafting, reading, and caring for her adored cats.
Surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Rebecca Bowman Lough of Franklin and their sons, Adam and Matthew (Ashley) Lough. Also left to mourn is Cameron Nickels of Staunton, Virginia, and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In honoring Ms. Nickels’ wishes, her body has been cremated.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date,
Per her wish, charitable donations can be made to Shenandoah Valley Animal Services, 1001 Mt. Torrey Road, Lyndhurst, VA 22952.
Memorials and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.
