Ruth V. Nichols

Ruth (neé Villemaire) Nichols, died on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at her home in Colchester, VT, from a cardiac event. She was 91 years and 9 months old. Ruth was born in Burlington, VT, to Maurice J. Villemaire, M.D., and M. Winifred Villemaire of Milton, VT, on November 5, 1933. She grew up in Milton, graduating from Milton High School, and attended the University of Vermont until her marriage to Raymond C. Nichols of Burlington on September 3, 1955, at St. Ann's Church in Milton. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to South Bend, Indiana, where Ray continued his education at Notre Dame and Ruth started working in her field as a nutritionist at the hospital in South Bend. A year later they moved to East Orange, NJ, where their son, John, was born, eventually making their way back to Burlington, VT, where the rest of their children were born. Ruth was a stay-at-home mom for many years raising their family until she started working at the family business, Youngs Pharmacy in Burlington, until their retirement. They eventually moved to Colchester in 2013. Ray died in January of 2014.

Ruth is survived by her four children and their families: Son John, and Linda, of Chazy, NY, and his children, Eric and Erica, and their children, Ryan and Grayson, all of Virginia; and Lance and Violet and their children, Blair and Clark, of Shelburne, VT; daughter Anne, and Donald, of Colchester; son Thomas, and Beth, of Milton, and their children, Zachary and Casie of Johnson, VT, and their children, Connor and Callyn; Samantha and Kevin of Johnson, and their children, Morgan and Keegan; Ashleigh and Scott of Milton, and their child, Rory; and Michelle and TJ of Johnson; and son David, and Laura, of Gig Harbor, WA, and their children, Zoey, Chase, and Walker. She is also survived by her very loved nephews, John Selden, and Kathy, of Swanton, VT, and William Selden, and Andrea, and their son, Cole, of Kenneth City, FL, as well as nephews Stephen, Michael (Lori) and James (Tammi) Nichols and their families.

She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and her beloved sister, Claire, as well as her very best friend, Deedee Cemel.

Visiting hours will take place on Tuesday, August 26, from 4 – 6pm at LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St., Winooski, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 27, at 11:00am at St. Francis Xavier Church, 3 St. Peter St., Winooski, VT. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. Ruth had a fondness for St. Jude's and contributed for many years to the hospital. Also, contributions in her name can be made to St. Francis Xavier Church.

Our beautiful mother was never one to want the limelight shown on her, but a dear friend wrote a post about her on Facebook that sums up a life well lived, and if you would like to read it, please go to Anne's Facebook page and search for Lynnette's post.