Shirley Nickols Fahey

Shirley Nickols Fahey, 74, of Tucson, AZ died peacefully on January 26, 2003 in Phoenix, AZ. Shirley was born in Omaha, NE on Nov 7, 1928 and spent her childhood in Shenandoah, IA. She attended Vanderbilt University and the University of Florida where she earned her PhD in social psychology in 1964. After teaching at Texas Christian University and Ohio University, she moved to Tucson, and in 1970 took a position as an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona. During the 70's she was a major force in the women's movement. She was a founding member and first president of the Tucson chapter of the National Organization for Women. She also served as an officer of the American Association of University Professors. Under her chairmanship, the AAUP's Committee on the Professional Status of Women worked with the University to establish revised nepotism guidelines. Shirley was a valued member of the University's medical school staff, earning the U of A Foundation's Creative Teaching Award in 1976 for the Human Behavior and Development Course which was developed and coordinated by Shirley and her associate, Dr. Herb Pollack. Shirley retired from the U of A Medical School in July 2000 after 30 years as a Professor, Counselor of Medical Students, Director of the Division of Social Perspectives in Medicine, Member of the Medical School Admissions Committee, and most recently, the Associate Dean of Admissions. Shirley is survived by her daughter, Leslie Creswell and husband, Steve; daughter, Sharon Bowman; son, Gilbert Dickey III and wife, Martha; sister, Beverly Placker; 6 grandchildren, and 17 nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held in Tucson on Saturday, Feb 1, 2003 at 2pm at the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave, Tucson, AZ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1028 E. McDowell Rd; Phoenix, AZ 85006; 602-528-0545.