A Pismo Beach woman who once ran the Olympic torch through part of San Luis Obispo County has lost her battle with brain cancer.
Nicole Von Ruden was known throughout the South County for her work as a television producer in Hollywood and for her stints as a teacher and tutor at Shell Beach Elementary School.
She died on Aug. 7 at the age of 40.
Her friends and coworkers said Wednesday that they'll miss her optimism and humor.
Published on 2008-08-14, Page B1, Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA)
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When she carries the Olympic torch in January, Pismo Beach resident Nicole Von Ruden will have been living with a brain tumor for almost two years.
But the former teacher and broadcast journalist doesn't let the trial life has dealt her take a negative emotional toll.
"People are always so amazed by my positive attitude when they find out I have a tumor," Von Ruden said. "I mean, you can choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood.
Published on 2001-10-14, Page B1, Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA)
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BRAIN TUMOR SURVIVOR FEATURED ON NATIONAL TV
A popular reading tutor, coordinator of gifted student programs and anti-drug program teacher at Shell Beach Elementary School recently was featured on the National Geographic channel's "Science Times" in a segment on the brain.
Nicole Von Ruden attended the Taub Clinic at the University of Alabama in June for an inoperable brain tumor, discovered in January 2000, that left her right arm and hand dysfunctional and gave her a crooked eye.
Published on 2002-11-26, Page B1, Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA)