Nicki Sullivan is a teacher, mother, wife, friend and much more. She taught 1st grade for the Anchorage School District for seven years and a couple more years as a substitute. She taught three more years at Birchwood Christian Schools. She married her husband Sam 15 years ago. His job was to look up to her. They have two children Abigail (11) and Ethan (6).

In January of 2024 Nicki was diagnosed with ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma. She underwent immediate surgery and completed a course of chemotherapy. After a wonderful summer of 2024 she found the cancer had returned. Unfortunately, there are not good options for recurrent forms of this cancer and its likely that Nicki does not have much time left.

To be clear this is a tragic and heartbreaking event. On the flip side Sam, Abigail, and Ethan have an amazing support system. So, I say this knowing that times are tough and through the support system their needs are met. That said, planning for the future with children is insurmountably harder with the loss of a parent, mother, and friend. While needs are met now, Nicki’s greatest care was to make sure her children were taken care of in the future. Sam has set up two Alaska 529 plans for post-secondary education for both Abigail and Ethan. Any donations for their future would be supporting the cause for the people she loved most.