A DEVASTATING LOSS: Donna Nicolls of the Bahamas Crisis Center passes

A DEVASTATING LOSS: Donna Nicolls of the Bahamas Crisis Center passes
From left: Alison Hamilton, volunteer; Dr Sue Fairclough, volunteer; Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson, Bahamas Crisis Centre director; and the late Donna Nicolls, deputy director, who passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Long-time Bahamas Crisis Centre Deputy Director Donna Nicolls passed away on Monday after a long battle with stomach cancer.

Donna Nicolls.

The well-known human rights defender was 67 years old.

The Bahamas Crisis Centre said in a statement it was “deeply saddened” over the loss, with Crisis Centre Director Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson remembering Nicolls as an “amazing human being”.

“We are devastated over the loss of our right hand, Mrs Donna Nicolls,” said Dean-Patterson.

“Not only was she our deputy director and director of all of our training needs, but a dedicated and committed human rights defender and outstanding counselor who, for many years, voluntarily counseled survivors of violence on a pro-bono basis.

“She also had a 50-year career in teaching, counseling and selfless service to others.”

Dean-Patterson described Nicolls as passionate, warm and caring, but also fearless, known for her frankness and unflinching advocacy for the rights of women and children.

“Donna was an amazing human being who gave so much of herself,” she said.

The late Donna Nicolls, deputy director of the Bahamas Crisis Centre, with fellow volunteer Lindsay Thompson.

“She will be sorely missed not only by the many volunteers of the Bahamas Crisis Centre but by the country at large and by extension, the Caribbean region.”

According to the Crisis Centre, Nicolls recently relocated to her native birthplace of Kingston, Jamaica, where she died at home in the arms of her loved ones.

Her parting message was to reassure family and friends that she loved, laughed and lived to the fullest, and to encourage everyone to never delay living.

She is survived by her husband, Teran Nicolls; son, Rande Nicolls and Khalila Duncombe; daughter, Noelle Nicolls, a Bahamian journalist, human rights advocate and entrepreneur; and “a host of other relatives and friends across the world”.

2 comments

May Donna’s Soul Rest In Peace. May her legacy of sacrificial love for others shown in her fight for human rights and her compassion for those in need live on.
My condolences to her husband, children and family

Donna Nicolls whom I met through my younger sister, Helen Campbell was one of those beautiful human beings who touch your heart and soul forever. We may never be able in our lifetime, to measure the extent of the positive influence she has had on others.I cherish her memory and extend my deepest condolences to her loving family.

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