Nicole Von Ruden-Arroyo Grande High, CA

9/6/2009

Please Feel Free To Leave A Comment Or A Memory You Had With Nicole~

October 2 ~ August 7, 2008

PISMO BEACH WOMAN LOSES FIGHT TO CANCER BUT HER FULLY-LIVED LIFE LIVES ON

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)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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)

19 Comments

Sonin J Porter

9/7/2009 01:20:35 am

So sad. so hard to see so many go. RIP Nicole.
July 11 at 12:54pm ·

Melvin Osby Jr

9/7/2009 01:20:50 am

We went to Elem. Jr. high and H.S. togather. We also workd togather a Zac's...now Pier Side in Piz.
July 11 at 2:41pm ·

Leonard Potter

9/7/2009 01:21:07 am

RIP Nicole
July 11 at 7:19pm

Myriam Pacheco

9/7/2009 01:21:23 am

OMG. what happened? She was my counselor at sixth grade camp.
July 11 at 8:01pm

Vicki Gonzales De La Rosa

9/7/2009 01:21:40 am

We miss you Nic : )
July 12 at 10:03am

Cyndy Sault-Saliem

9/7/2009 01:22:30 am

I seem to remeber that Nicole had a brain tumor w/cancer and lived for while but died eventually from that.
July 13 at 11:38am

Todd Talbert

9/7/2009 01:22:47 am

This one hit me. She was very active and outgoing. She was working in the entertainment/news industry.
July 13 at 11:32pm

Carol Zorn-Forrester

9/7/2009 01:23:05 am

Another sweet person...the last time I had seen her was when she came into see her old boss Zac..her cancer had had came back..2004..she moved into her own place down here to be close to family..she was walking with a cane..could partially talk...but had the biggest smile the whole time...she was just happy to be out on her own again..my boss got tears in his eyes..very touching..she fought a long hard battle..helped out at shell beach school...her terrific smile is what I remember most...♥
July 14 at 5:19pm ·

Alex Bautista

9/7/2009 01:23:22 am

I always like Nicole. I too remember her smile. Nicole was a successful director for the Dr. Phil show. Here is an story of Nicole posted on Dr. Phil's website: http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/4127/?id=4127&showID=984
July 15 at 1:32am

Myriam Pacheco

9/7/2009 01:23:39 am

Thank you for posting that.
July 15 at 1:48am

Roni Rodriguez

9/7/2009 01:24:15 am

This is so sad. I'm sorry to hear this
:(
July 16 at 12:51am

Kevin Gotchal

9/7/2009 01:24:47 am

She and ran against each other for ASB president. She was one of the best friends a person could have.
July 18 at 7:39pm

Vickie Deal-Vecchiarelli

9/7/2009 01:25:00 am

I too remember Nicole's sweet smile. So sad. :(
July 18 at 11:23pm

Chris Hortline

9/7/2009 01:26:19 am

Words can't express the sadness. Nic was one of the all time greats. Tough to even type. RIP Nic
July 20 at 12:28am

Felicia Ann Baisch

9/7/2009 01:36:31 am

Nicole is the coolest...I was shocked to hear she passed
July 20 at 11:16pm

Cameron McFarland

9/7/2009 01:37:34 am

I'll miss her kicking my ass @ backgammon down @ Steamin' Bean in Shell Beach...Nick & I were regular coffee dates down there... She would tell people "I am the little sister Cameron never wanted"... That couldn't be further than the truth... I'll miss you sis!... Her Dad was also my pediatrician as a kid...
July 24 at 12:41pm ·

Chauna Morrissey

9/7/2009 01:39:19 am

There are so many nice things to say about Nicole... You know she worked for Dr. Phil. He gave her a 'suped up' cart to help her get around. He also announced her death on his show. It was very sad.
August 2 at 2:05pm ·

Robyn Oyler

12/24/2010 04:31:43 am

Nic and I were neighbors, classmates, playmates, and friends. We ran together, she taught me math, she taught me lots of things actually...we endured Shell Bch. Elem, Judkins, and AGHS. Imagine a kid, inspiring, another kid...well that was her, she made me want to be a better person...at 12 yrs.old! Her father was my family M.D., we protested for "No Nukes" together and got our pic on the front page of The Tribune...sure did! We walked up and down Pismo Heights everyday, and that hill was no joke. 3-4 days of the week she would carry her sax and many heavy books. She was raised right, with ethics and ambition. Nicole was the youngest of 5 children, I believe, but you would'nt have known it. She was a born leader, taking charge. Of course, we grew apart as we got older...but everytime she saw me, she would stop and chat. I felt the need to share my memories of Nicole, and im quite sure she is at peace and smiling down on us all. R.I.P. Nicole Von Ruden. Bless you.

Simone link

10/20/2020 11:59:33 am

Could you please tell me if this was the same Nicole that used to wear braces and play with plastic horses at Shell Beach Elementary?

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Nicole Von Ruden-Arroyo Grande High, CA

Leave a Reply.

AGHS Class of "1985"

See Link: http://drphil.com/shows/show/984/