Clear, 40° F
(Oct. 31, 2004)
Word has been received here of the Oct. 31, 2004, death in Phoenix, Ariz., of Susan Barbara Hamlin Nichols from complications of surgery. She was 59.
She was born Sept. 29, 1945, to Mildred and Gordon Hamlin in Chicago, Ill. At a young age, she moved with her family to Worland and graduated from Worland High School in 1964. She then graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley in 1968.
She married Mike Nichols in Littleton, Colo., on May 31, 1968. They were blessed with the birth of a son, Mark.
In 1967, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, but always remained positive, even though she suffered greatly from the disease. After moving to Arizona in 1968, she taught elementary school in the Mesa school district for 16 years. When illness forced her to retire, she continued to volunteer in the classroom for several more years.
She was involved for many years with testing various arthritis drugs. She was known by many doctors studying the disease around the world, and her case was written up in many medical journals, citing experimental medical practices for rheumatoid arthritis.
Survivors include her husband, Mike and son, Mark of Mesa, Ariz.; her sister, Diane (Charlie) Hefenieder and mother, Mildred Hamlin of Powell; sister-in-law, Nancy Hamlin of Orlando, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Gordon, and her brother, David.
Services were held Nov. 6 in Mesa. Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1313 East Osborn Rd., Phoenix, AZ 82014.
