Ronilee Gay Nichols, 72, of Clarkston, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at her home. Gay was born Aug. 7, 1952, in Kellogg, Idaho, to Ronald and Dorothy Bloom (Smith) where they resided until 1961 when they moved to Lewiston. She attended Lewiston schools from third grade through graduation in 1970. During her school years, Gay was a member of the National Honors Society. Her success at school and love of learning took her to Lewis-Clark State College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1974. Gay was married to Bill Kazda in 1971 and had two daughters, Tracy Kazda and Angela Kazda (Skelton). She taught at Tammany School from 1974-1979 and Camelot Elementary from 1982-1990. Gay loved working with students and families but health issues forced her into early retirement.
Gay married Rod Nichols in 1987. Together they attended Valley Christian Center where Gay joined Women’s Aglow. She served on the Woman’s Aglow Board and volunteered her time with the pregnancy counseling center which was a very rewarding time in her life. In 1998, a job opportunity moved Rod and Gay to Salem, Ore., where they resided until moving back to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley in 2020. In their 22 years in Oregon, they enjoyed visiting the coast and museums. Gay enjoyed taking visiting family members and friends to these places that she loved. They attended Christian Center of Salem where they met many wonderful friends. Since returning to the valley, Gay enjoyed reconnecting with her friends and family who still reside here. Most recently Gay attended Orchards Community Church and enjoyed Bible studies with friends from various church congregations.
Gay will be remembered by her friends and family for how much she loved people. Gay was extremely giving and was always buying gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and never needed a reason to buy a card to make someone feel special. She never met a stranger and it gave her great joy to help as many people as she could with her time and treasure. Her daughters Tracy and Angie were the joy of her life and she adored her three granddaughters Ariana Sagali and Addy and Maleah Skelton. Gay also leaves behind her son-in-law Mike Skelton, brother Randy (Carolyn) Bloom, sister Shay (Wayne) Wood, stepmother Carolyn Bloom and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Correll and her father, Ronald Bloom.
A viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, May 15, at Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home, 1711 18th St., Lewiston. A funeral service will be held at noon, Friday, May 16, at Orchard’s Community Church, 822 Bryden Ave., Lewiston, with a reception immediately following.
Donations in Gays’ honor may be made to Metro World Child P.O. Box 95, Brooklyn, NY 11237-6695 or the Reliance Center 102 New Sixth St., Lewiston, ID 83501.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Friday, May 16, 12:00 PM
- Location
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Orchards Community Church
822 Bryden Avenue
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
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