Samantha Hickey, Nurse With a Gift for Diagnosis, Dies at 45

Ms. Hickey graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and in 2009 she earned a Master of Science in nursing from Graceland University in Independence, Mo.

She married Dusty Berg in 1994; they divorced in 2009, and she married Mr. Hickey the next year. In addition to Mr. Hickey, she is survived by two sons from her first marriage, Devan and Jackson Berg; a son, Reed, and a daughter, Blakelee, from her second marriage; and two sisters, Jamie Lester and Rachel Seaman.

After Ms. Hickey graduated from high school at 17, the Portland Trail Blazers considered hiring her for their dance squad, but she was disqualified after those in charge found out she was two years under the minimum age requirement. She was later known to break out into tap-dance routines at home, and she bought her children tap shoes so they could join her.

She encouraged Mr. Hickey, who had worked for many years as a paramedic, to attend medical school, which she had once dreamed of doing herself. She supported the family financially while he studied. (He is entering his third year.)

The region around Caldwell, where Ms. Hickey lived and worked, has experienced a steadily growing spike in virus cases in recent weeks. According to Mr. Hickey, his wife saw a patient who had tested positive around a week before her death.

The family and the St. Luke’s Health Foundation plan to create a scholarship fund in Ms. Hickey’s name to support nursing education. Friends and relatives said they also hope that Ms. Hickey’s good health and young age draw attention to the seriousness of the virus and the need to follow public health protocols.

“She would want her death to be something that others could learn from,” Ms. Belcourt said.