NICHOLS

It is with sad hearts the family announces the passing of Dr. Susan Elizabeth Nichols, Professor Emerita, University of New Brunswick and the daughter of James and Doris Nichols of Bridgewater Nova Scotia. Sue passed away on September 2, 2024, in Valley Hospice in Kentville after a long and difficult struggle with cancer. She lived in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia after her retirement as a Professor at the University of New Brunswick, in Fredericton.

Sue will be fondly remembered and admired by her Aunt Ruth Gates-Jenson, (her sons Michael (Ann) Gates and Andy (Carol) Gates) in Ontario as well as her Uncle Richard, Aunt Dianne, their children Melissa (Adam and son Sage McConnell) in Bridgewater, John (son Owen Nichols) in Florida, and Jim (Melanie and son Nolan Nichols) in Ontario.

Sue was born on December 16, 1951, in Middleton, Nova Scotia to Doris Parr Nichols and James Nichols. She spent her formative years travelling within Nova Scotia with her family as her father had a construction company that worked throughout the region.

Sue graduated from Acadia University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc. Honours) in Mathematics. She then went on to study physical geography in 1974 and 1975 at the University of British Columbia before obtaining her Land Survey Diploma in 1978 from the Nova Scotia Land Survey Institute in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia. In 1983 Dr. Nichols graduated from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) with a master’s in engineering degree (M.Eng.) in Surveying Engineering and in 1992, Dr. Nichols graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) also from UNB. She obtained her Professional Engineer designation in 1986.

Dr. Nichols started teaching at the UNB Department of Geodesy and Geomatics in 1980 as a part time teaching assistant while she was a graduate student, and went on to become Instructor, Research Assistant, Assistant Professor, and Full Professor in 2001. Dr. Nichols held several administrative positions in the Faculty of Engineering, including Director of Graduate Studies in Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering.

Dr. Nichols chaired the Engineering Faculty Graduate Committee for close to 10 years and served on other UNB and professional committees. Her expertise in land administration systems and user requirements was recognized and sought by the United Nations, the World Bank, and other international development organizations, and she brought several important international training programs in land administration to the University of New Brunswick.

As an expert in land administration, gender rights and access to land, aboriginal and first nations’ ownership rights, maritime policy and marine boundary delimitation, and land registry reform, Dr. Nichols’s contributions to UNB’s Center for Property Studies were invaluable.

Dr. Nichols’s work also supported the efforts of others in her discipline outside UNB. She was on the Atlantic Provinces Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors for several years as a member and examiner, was a member of and past president of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics as well as being a national representative on a number of committees of the International Federation of Surveyors.

During her career at UNB, Dr. Nichols received over 50 research grants, contracts and awards. She was invited to speak at conferences on five continents and authored or co-authored more than 100 publications. She developed and taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in land administration and cartography, and supervised five PhD students, 21 master’s students, and more than 75 senior undergraduate reports and theses.

An example of her breadth and scope as an organizer was a project Dr. Nichols spearheaded in 1996. She organized a tour of the Maritime Provinces’ Land Management Systems for 60 members of the Russian State Land Reform Committee. She partnered with different provincial agencies and many Land Surveying firms to show the delegates a variety of aspects of land administration and land surveying.

Throughout her long career at UNB, Dr. Nichols’s drive, intelligence, passion, and commitment to the university earned her a number of awards and promotions. At the University of New Brunswick's 185th Encaenia on 29 May 2014, Dr. Nichols was awarded the rank of Professor Emerita in recognition of her distinguished career at the University of New Brunswick.

According to university regulations, "Distinguished service shall consist of teaching performance recognized by colleagues and students to be of exceptional merit, extensive research and publication of unusually high quality, contribution to the administration and development of the university of a creative kind, or a combination of some or all of these, and a record of professional conduct that indicates fair and ethical treatment of students and other members of the academic community."

Amongst many other accomplishments, Dr. Nichols was the first female president of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics, was a past-chair of the Canadian National Committee for the International Federation of Surveyors and was an honorary member of the Association of New Brunswick Land Surveyors.

Dr. Nichols will be missed by her many colleagues, friends, and family members. Her contributions were numerous, and she was a woman that blazed a trail where few had gone before. She was a force to be reckoned with, but she had a caring heart and thoughtful personality. She was a shining example to those of us who had the honour to know and work with her and for those that are yet to come. She will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Robertson of Bridgewater and to the staff and volunteers at the Valley Hospice in Kentville for the exceptional care and support provided to Sue in her last days. They would also like to thank Joan Campbell of Bridgewater who was Sue’s dedicated caregiver and friend for many years. For all those friends of Sue who sent their love and gratitude through numerous messages, phone calls and even visits from long distances away to visit and reminisce with Sue, we know that Sue was truly appreciative. The nightly vigils at the end by the ‘Girls from Acadia’ will remain in our eyes evidence of true friendship.

The family would also like to extend their gratitude to Mark Doucette of Fredericton and Chris Roop of Middleton for guiding us through these difficult times.

Sue will be buried with her mother and father in Bear River later in the fall. As per Sue’s wishes the graveside service will be for family and close friends.

Donations can be made in Sue’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society (CRA Charitable Registration No. 118829803RR0001) and condolences can be expressed at www.middletonfuneralhome.com