Nancy Ryan Hickman

Nancy Ryan Hickman passed away Saturday, August 24, at her home in Fernandina Beach, FL, after a long illness.  Nancy was 79 years old. 

She is survived by her husband, Stephen Hickman of Fernandina Beach; her sister, Linda Tomlinson and brother-in-law, Kenneth Tomlinson of Decatur, AL; her niece, Karin Dodson Gignoux of Valbonne, France; her nephew, Sean Ryan Dodson of Mount Vernon,WA; and her nephew, Jeremy Allen Tomlinson of Boston, MA.  Her parents, Maurice and Murrelle Ryan of Murray, KY, and her daughter, Julieanne West of Carbondale, IL, predeceased her.

Nancy attended Murray High School and graduated from there in 1962.  She then went on to graduate from Murray State University in 1966.  After graduation she began an interesting , rewarding and giving career which lasted over 30 years working for Shagbark Girl Scout Council then located in Herrin IL.  She retired as Executive Director of the Council.  Nancy oversaw and loved the beautiful Girl Scout Camp Cedar Point on Grassy Lake in Williamson County, IL.

After her retirement, she and Steve moved to Fernandina Beach, where she became a very active member of the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch.  She loved to watch the last hatch baby turtles sprint to the ocean.  Along with the sea turtles, Nancy had a passion for Project Chance, an organization that raises and trains golden retrievers to be support dogs for youth with autism.

Friends wishing to make a contribution in Nancy’s honor may direct it to Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch at P.O. Box 566, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.