Nichole Sgarlato

Nichole Mikko-Causby Sgarlato, age 27, passed away on July 4, 2013, in Missoula, Mont. where she was a graduate student at the University of Montana.
Born at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens on March 3, 1986, Nichole lost her battle with brain cancer way too soon. An exceptional and multitalented young woman, Nichole was a graduate and honor student at Clarke Central High School and the University of Georgia. She took a year off from her scholastic studies to enlist in AmeriCorp, and was sent to Terry, Mont. "And yes, I am here to serve my country without breaking things or killing people--what I consider to be the highest form of patriotic service," she said.
The relationships that Nichole built in Montana lead her to choose graduate school there. She was working on her master's degree in history, with a concentration on women's studies, at the time of her death. It was while in Terry, Mont., that she became interested in history and feminism.
Academically inclined, Nichole was well read and outspoken politically, and could always back up her facts. She loved science and was headed for a career in teaching; she loved learning. As a child, she loved aquatic animals and dinosaurs, and always knew a lot of facts about them. She loved animals, especially her Boston Terriers--she and her husband, Colin, have three.
Nichole's extracurricular activities included soccer, swimming, and going to the beach; as an adult, she added rollerderby. She trained in Athens with the Classic City Rollergirls and, after moving to Missoula, Mont., competed with the Hellgate Rollergirls. She was quirky, colorful, and passionate; people loved her. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. This upbeat personality was this focus of a hometown news story in The Missoulian, which can be read at www.tinyurl.com/kyb9zsy.
Nichole is survived by her husband, Colin Sgarlato, of Missoula, Mont. She and Colin fell in love in Athens at a young age. They married 3 years ago and both were in school at the University of Montana. Nichole is also survived by her parents, Melanie and Gary Causby, of Athens; sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Michael Arnett; nephew and niece, Gavin and Sadie Arnett, of Roswell; mother- and father-in-law, Mary and Steve Sgarlato, of Athens; and sister-in-law, Anna Sgarlato, of Seattle, Wash.
There will be a memorial and celebration of Nichole's life from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, at the Caledonia Lounge, in downtown Athens. Folks are encouraged to speak and remember such a vibrant life. This will be a non-religious memorial and dress is casual. Music by some of Nichole's favorite bands will start at 6 p.m.
Memorial contributions to assist the family with medical expenses can be made to The Nichole Mikko-Causby Fund at www.gofundme.com/2t1pes.