Yearbooks/Faculty Page     Facebook     Yahoo posts

~ Carol Mauch, Fort Wayne, Indiana August 17, 2010

Betty, Virginia Johnson, and I joined the Germany chapter of Phi Delta Kappa in 1974, in the first group of women to join what had been an all-male preserve. From that date, off an on through the years we met to share a volksmarch, a conference at Bad Kissingen, snow-stormy trips on the autobahn, spring visits to enjoy a hearty meal of white spargel (German asparagus), or the annual fests in Hochheim, Wiesbaden, and the Mosel. Later when she moved to the Ramstein area, it was a pleasure to visit the lovely villages of Alsace/Lorraine in France. A highlight was a visit of Betty, her sister Charlotte, and Erma Schwebbach to my home in the Netherlands province of Limburg....oh, the memories. We shall dearly miss Betty, a great friend and colleague.
~ Kay Galloway, Atkinson, New Hampshire

August 17, 2010
Betty, We shall all miss you...your smile, your thoughtfulness, your dedication, and the interesting trips and experiences in our DoDDS careers. God Bless You!
Kay Galloway
~ Kay Galloway, Atkinson, New Hampshire

August 17, 2010
Betty’s name came up often at Frankfurt High School 63-66 reunions and on their group chat site. She had a profound impact on her student for which they are eternally grateful. Thank you Betty
~ L Corbin, Marietta, Georgia

August 17, 2010
Betty Jean Nicholas was always helpful and friendly at Frankfurt American High School. She spent lots of time helping students to make the right choice.

You were special.

Marie Davenport-Schneider
~ Marie Davenport-Schneider, Frankfurt

August 17, 2010
It was a pleasure to work with Betty and be a fellow PDK member through the years in DoDDS. Linda McCauley (Kokomo,IN)

August 17, 2010
The DoDEA family extends its sincere condolences to Betty's family members and friends. Betty was a significant figure in the history of our school system. Her accomplishments were many. Her years of service to military families and DoD schools will be long remembered.

With sincere sympathy,

Frank O'Gara
DoDEA HQ, Arlington, VA August 17, 2010
I joined the faculty as an English teacher in the 70's and became a friend of Betty's. I was assigned to the annex and didn't see her very much. Yet, we still stayed close. Thank you Betty.
~ John Towle, Houston, Texas

August 17, 2010
The DoDEA family extends its sincere condolences to Betty's family members and friends. Betty was a significant figure in the history of our school system. Her accomplishments were many. Her years of service to military families and DoD schools will be long remembered.

With sincere sympathy,

Frank O'Gara
DoDEA HQ, Arlington, VA
~ Frank OGara, Arlington, Virginia

August 17, 2010
Danke, Betty, for coordinating all those seminars over the years for those of us involved in the National Writing Project. We all gained so much, thanks to your dedication and commitment, and the ripples keep spreading. RIP!
~ Joan Maas

August 17, 2010
Betty will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She was a good friend.
David and Vidabeth Bensen
Pittsboro, NC

August 17, 2010
I had two tours with Betty at Frankfurt High School and always considered her a friend and a teacher you could count on. I will miss her smiling face at the DODDS reunions. God Bless you Betty!
~ James Blaharski, Canton, Michigan

August 17, 2010
The Nobles' Family will truly miss Betty and will think of her each time we visit and talk with her mother and sister. Our deepest and sincere sympathy is exteneded to Mrs. Lena Nicholas and Charolette. We pray for their peace and comfort during their time of sorrow.
Willie and Augustine
~ Augustine Nobles, Valrico, Florida

August 17, 2010
Betty was a warm, sincere person always willing to share and help others. I am a better person because I had the pleasure of knowing and working with her. I am thankful to the Universe for sharing you with me.
~ James McNeil, Greensboro, North Carolina

August 17, 2010
I will remember her as Miss Nicholas. She was my English teacher at Frankfurt American High School in 1967. Her impact on my life can not be overstated. She taught me the power of written communication and was a role model to all the young women she taught. I treasure the memories of her and am grateful that I had the opportunity to express my gratitude on Facebook earlier this year. She will be missed by all her former students.
~ Diana Daggett, Hillsboro, Oregon |Contact Me

August 18, 2010
Betty was a wonderful mentor to all DODDS English teachers. We have lost a legend. All who knew Betty enjoyed the times we spent with her--especially at our Language Arts workshops and meetings throughout the years. Who could ever forget her famous line when things were getting a bit out of hand at these gatherings. "Let's get back on task." Betty, we will miss you.
~ John Robert, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

August 18, 2010
~ Dave Disharoon, Frankfurt, Germany

August 18, 2010
Thank you, Betty, for having shared your spirit of uncompromising excellence and your love of the English language and its literature with all whom you taught and worked with. If there is anyone who embodies the "power of the pen" more than you, I have yet to find her/him. Your inspiring charm shall remain in my fondest memories always.

Who can fathom how many people you have enriched in your life?
~ J. Michael Horak, FHS '69, Prague, Cz. Rep. August 18, 2010
Strict but fair - she was one of the reasons I majored in English in college. In high school (FAHS), we may not have realized her full impact on us but certainly have in the years since. Rest in peace.
~ Pat Royal Nicks, Coppell, Texas

August 18, 2010
Thank you Betty for our wonderful chats and our gatherings with our buddies while working in Germany. English being my favorite subject in school made my identification with your position in DoDDS a wonderful experience. I thank you!!!
~ Pamela L. Williams, Temple Hills, Maryland

August 18, 2010
How to have a full life? Miss Nicholas, your élan breathed a love of learning into the lives of a generation of overseas brats. “For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face.....”(Corinthians 13:12)
~ Theresa Tilton, Tacoma, Washington

August 18, 2010
I knew Betty Nicholas 42 years ago as a student at Frankfurt High School, Frankfurt, Germany. She, along with others, is the reason I am about to start my 39th year of teaching. Miss Nicholas, your memory lives on everyday with our students who benefit from your knowledge. You will be missed.
Donna Peacher-Hall
Class of 1968
Frankfurt High School, Frankfurt, Germany
~ Donna Peacher-Hall, Los Angeles, California

August 18, 2010
Betty Nicholas was the best English teacher anyone could have had in High School, and I was lucky enough to have had her my Senior year at FHS. As I moved on throughout my life, she became a wonderful friend. She will be missed beyond words.
~ Pat (Lagerberg) Hardaway, Flagstaff, Arizona

August 19, 2010
I already miss you, Betty, just knowing that you were there and always so encouraging and excited about a project that any of your students were pursuing, even long after they were in your class.

I so enjoy the memories of "working in a group" to discuss Plato, Aristotle, Mills, and the thoughts, poetry, and ideas of so many authors. At first I thought the work of poets and authors was a multi-millennium conspiracy among philosophers and English teachers to make English students play "guess what I'm thinking", but it was later I realized those discussions, and writing and reading assignments were such important exercises in learning to listen and understand ideas of others, of people who had spent such energy thinking and pondering; and more importantly, to learn how to clearly communicate our own ideas to others.

You paid your students the ultimate compliment, always telling us through your actions "You have wonderful thoughts and ideas, and I want to know what they are. I want you to learn to write them and say them clearly." How many other adults in our lives at that time were so interested in our ideas and thoughts, that they would spend hours reading our first awkward and rudimentary attempts to write and express our thoughts? And then write careful notes on the papers (in red ink of course!) indicating that you had carefully read and attempted to understand what we were trying to say? Not many.

You inspired us all with your incessant enthusiasm in your value of others, especially those very young students who were just learning to write. I recall your classes with the young elementary students at Ramstein Elementary School who were writing books and learning to implement your "young author" writing program. After you talked to each child, he or she would emerge from the classroom beaming, invariably feeling that they were the most special and promising budding authors.

Your passion to DO things, SEE things, TALK ABOUT things, was so overflowing and contagious. You even named your car "Bubbly". I know you stated that this was because its color was 'champagne', but I believe the name reflected your nature. Anyone fortunate enough to travel with you or otherwise share an aesthetic experience, exciting city lights, shows and plays, a book, music, or a picture with you, always received much more in return through your exuberant response and the desire to "see it again!" or "do it again!".

Part of your enthusiasm and drive was manifested through wanting to make effective and powerful presentations. Your presentations were renowned around Europe and beyond. You also made the rest of us do the same. I remember coming over to Germany from the States to present a workshop and you helped me put together some "acetate slides" after you discovered that I came only with a written paper to be delivered. ("What do you mean you didn't include any visual aids?!") I would have been quite content to write some text on each one and hope for the best. However, I recall we were up till the early morning hours getting them copied and recrafted "just right" so that the presentation would be equally "just right" and effective. Well, it was, and I was asked back several times as a result!

Your respect and compassion for those who were disadvantaged in socioeconomic class, race, education, or otherwise deprived were so evident, and you inspired so many of us to pass that compassion and value of others on through the various individual paths we took and through the service we were to render in our own ways throughout our lives.

Many people drop a significant pebble in the pond with their lives, causing ripples to improve the lives of others in ever-widening circles. You dropped a boulder that produced wave after wave of generations of students and their students who would continue to practice, teach, and otherwise share the same compassion, service, and drive for excellence that you taught them.

Thank you, Betty. Thank you for your life, your love for all of us, and the value you taught us to place upon ourselves and others. I am the optimist that believes it could only be true that we will see you again after the short remaining years that comprise each of our brief mortal existences, and then continue where we left off.

When next I see you I have a piece of music I want you to listen to. And, Betty, would you be willing to read something I just wrote......

With gratitude and love,
~ Tom Hardaway, San Antonio, Texas

August 19, 2010
Betty Nicholas is the reason I loved teaching. She introduced me to the Bay Area Writing Project by bringing inspiring people from the University of California to our doorstep in Wiesbaden, Germany. Then she put all of us in the class on the road to share our ideas with teachers all over Germany. We had so much fun! Then she convinced us to work on the DoDDS Writing Assessment in DC year after year. Through her efforts a group of teachers became good friends and co-workers and I believe we influenced the teaching of children K-12 world-wide. I also remember, Betty, our dinner together in Las Vegas last summer at the French restaurant which only served Italian food! Love you forever!
~ Dorothy Barreau, Grove City, Ohio |Contact Me

August 19, 2010
Eleanor Roosevelt wrote, “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” Betty Nicholas left a dinosaur size footprint in my heart. I will forever remember and love Betty for being my friend.
~ Ed Bell, Bonita Springs, Florida

August 19, 2010
Betty was truly an inspiration to all. I will always remember her smile and her positive attitude. I will miss her.
Ardelle Hamilton, Crockett, Texas
~ Ardelle Hamilton, Crockett, Texas |Contact Me

August 19, 2010
My experiences with Betty come more recently. If anybody could be called a well rounded, grounded, non judgemental, classy (but very strong in her opinions) person of the world - that IS Betty. I came to greatly appreciate Betty through my partner in life Maria Gradin. They spent years working with EF - placing numerous international kids into Florida homes as exchange students, not an easy task. But Betty was the energizer bunny - you didn't mess with Betty - but that is exactly why I came to appreciate her so. I miss her very much.

I cannot help but add how wide ranging I found her. We attended events ranging from a Saint Lucia Swedish celebration on St Armands, to one of her favorite hangouts McCurdy's Comedy Club in Sarasota which has bold and crass comedians - Betty always had passes and deals there, especially when it was a Democratic Party fundraiser!

Maria and I once took Betty to Drag Queen Bingo in downtown Sarasota. This to me epitomizes Betty - here we are are, a couple in our 40's with a retired gal -it was an absolute hoot! We had so many belly laughs that night - if you can label fun nights, that has to be one of the favorites in my lifetime. Betty was not pretentious, and this again illustrates what a remarkable woman she was. And what a role model for everyone!

In response to Tom Hardaway - You are so correct, and I can think of NO better way to live life as you describe concerning Betty - DO Things - SEE Things - TALK ABOUT Things - that is so Betty!

Betty had a bucket list, and one of them was Linger Lodge in Bradenton. This is one of old Florida's last bastions. We ended up there after a day of picking strawberries, and Betty buying Bok Choy and wondering how the heck she was going to to cook it! She never did elevate her skills to cooking... But she was not shy about admitting this shortcoming. Microwaves rule! For Betty anyways....

We arrived at Linger Lodge and find the gravel/partial tar parking lot filled with motorcycles - and we discuss - should we stay or should we go now? It was a bit intimidating - and what did Betty say? "We are here for lunch - let's find a parking spot" Once again, we had a wonderful time, though the deep fried frog legs didn't quite work out for us....

Live life to the fullest - Betty lived as she saw fit - and though I did not get to spend a lot of time with her, I am glad she was a part of my life, and I appreciate every minute spent. I miss her.

Chip Wahlquist
~ Chip Wahlquist, Minneapolis

August 22, 2010
I talked to Betty just last spring about my working at her “retirement” job. She sounded upbeat and vivacious. What a way to make an exit! To paraphrase Cabaret “When I go, I’m going like Betty.”
Carolyn Marti Smith, Scottsdale, Arizona
~ |Contact Me August 23, 2010
Dear Betty.

I am so very sorry to hear about your condition.
You have been an inspiration to me, and a great REC with lots of smiles to pas on.

I remember when we were on that trip to Washington DC with the Alabama group. We weren't allowed in the hallways in the late evening, but for some reason (I don't exactly remember why) Johanna and I (and maybe Elise and Melanie too) were out anyway. Suddenly we heard the Alabama leader heading down the hallway and we stumbled past your door trying to hide. You must have heard us outside cause then you're door opened up and you said for us to hurry inside before we got busted. To our big surprise we discovered that inside your room, Flavio and someone else, were already hiding, and you invited us on a cup of juice (I think it was) and some cookies that were already placed on the table. We all hung out in your room, chatting, until things on the hallway had settled down and then you sent all of us back to bed.
I remember us talking about you after that night, about how cool and fun we all thought you were.

I still have contact to the friends I made that year, though I haven't seen them for years. My exchange year in Florida was, and is to this day probably the best thing I have ever done. It was the start of a new life for me, and the beginning of my hunger for travels.

Today I am in Cairns, Australia. The weather is tropical and the sun is shining. It is winter here and full of tourists. My boyfriend and I live in a tent on a campground, currently looking for work somewhere nearby. I met my boyfriend 9 months ago in London, and we have been travelling the world together ever since. He is from New Zealand and very handsome ;) so now I speak English every day. I’m planning to stay here in Australia a year, and then visit New Zealand, Madagascar, South Africa, then back to Europe and Denmark to introduce Luke to my family, and then off again for the rest of the world. I have been away from home for a year now, and travelled round USA from east to west, Venezuela and the Andes Mountains, Rome, London, Edinburgh in Scotland, Japan, Thailand, Laos and now Australia.

Every day Luke and I drive to the beach to check the wind. He has taught me how to kite-surf, so from now on, our future destinations are all very windy spots by the water. Kitesurfing is really fun. You surf around on the water with a big kite attached to your waist and it catches the wind and makes it possible for you to cruse around on the surface. If you flick the kite from one side of the wind-window to the other, it causes you to catch air and fly high for a while before you land back on the water.

Betty, thank you for everything you have taught me and done for me. You’ve shown me the importance of a first hand impression, and how easy it is to make people like you by being open and positive. Without you I would not have been the person I am today.

Much love
Astrid.
~ Astrid Jensen, Naples, Florida |Contact Me

August 23, 2010
To Betty's Family and Friends,

I was so sorry to learn about Betty's passing. Betty was an incredible person who was always dedicated to her work. She had such a way of getting people involved and committed to her ideas, to the point where years after she has left DoDDS, her name is still associated with her curricular innovations. Betty was also there for her friends and colleagues when they needed her. She will be missed. I empathisize with you in your loss of this remarkable woman.
 

August 23, 2010
Cathy and Noel Tillman were among the hundreds of educators who worked with Betty and her cadre of motivated professionals on her many projects. Her efforts brought hundreds more teachers and administrators into the fold and showed them how language arts... reading, writing, drama, as well as the use of multi-media, could excite thousands of kids about their learning. This is Betty's legacy.
~ Noel and Cathy Tillman, Beaufort, South Carolina

August 23, 2010
Betty's inspiration will always be with me, especially when I visit classrooms with the wealth of language arts possibilities she brought to us all.
~ Eileen Regen, Sugar Hill, New Hampshire

August 24, 2010
Dear Betty,

I am so grateful to have had you as one of my dear friends. Meeting you through EF and the foreign exchange program was an experience that changed my life. You taught me so much, and you made such a difference in the lives of so many students from all over the world by assisting them to experience life in the US. The photo that I attached is just one that demonstrates the joy you shared with so many and how happy you were when you were with the students.

I will never forget you and I will always miss you.

Love Always, Mary Kay and Nick Capuano
~ Mary Kay Capuano, Sarasota, Florida

August 25, 2010
Through her always positive role modeling, Betty helped us grow in the craft of teaching. What a gift she gave to us and the students with whom we came in contact! Rest in Peace.

~ Ted and Dee Edwards, Las Vegas, Nevada
 

August 26, 2010
I recall working with Betty on the Bay Area Writing Project, Sparks elementary literature magazine, and several textbook committees in the Nürnberg School District in Germany. She was an enthusiastic coordinator who loved language.
~ Carol Wiborg, Glenwood, Illinois |Contact

Me August 26, 2010
Betty's dedication and concern for the development of student and teacher skills was a model for us all. She took a giant leap with the multiple-copy book idea and in my 30 years with DoDDS it was the best idea to promote reading I had ever seen. She had vision and she carried through no matter how difficult it may have seemed. Her dedication to developing writing skills brought the idea of 'sample' writing pieces into students cumulative folders: brilliant and so helpful for the teacher getting that student the next year. She was one in a million. I loved her, absoutely loved her! Susan & Jim Lenz
~ susan lenz, chicago, Illinois

August 26, 2010
When I met Betty over 5 years ago I was amazed at her dedication to the foreign exchange program. She was passionate about the students she placed in our area and developed close relationships with them all. She had an impact on me and Josefina who was our exchange student from Sweden. It was a great year, that year...Betty came to all the fun gatherings we had including the Halloween party! She was such a lady and she will be missed by us all on Spyglass Lane.
Michelle Detweiler
~ Michelle Detweiler, Bradenton, Florida

August 27, 2010
Betty Nicholas enhanced the lives of many across three continents.
Each year educators and students looked forward to The Young Authors Conferences as well numerous other opportunities for growth and development during our DoDDs days.
In February,I had the opportunity (kindness of Ed Bell)to visit Betty in Sarasota. Betty,as always, was bubbly,
enthusiastic and the perfect host.
Betty will remain in my memory as a woman of extraordinary grace and clear vision.
I offer prayers and thoughts to Betty's
family at this time
~ Janice Forsythe, Charleston, South Carolina

September 12, 2010
Dear Betty,

You have gone before us. I will always remember our time together as coordinators in the Wiesbaden Office. We had good times and fun; and provided a great education for our overseas children.

You are missed.
Love, Scarlett

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.aspx?n=betty-jean-nicholas&pid=144758145