Melinda Joy Nix (Mindy) passed away peacefully on Thursday December 4, 2025. Mindy was born on September 17, 1962 in New Haven, Connecticut to Dee and Bud Maguire. She along with her sister, Melissa, and her brother, Mark, grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she attended grade school through high school. She graduated from Memorial High School in 1980. Mindy maintained and cherished many of the friendships made through her upbringing in Tulsa.

Mindy attended the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She graduated with a degree in History in 1984 and O.U. law school in 1987.

Mindy married Richard Nix in 1984 and became a mother to Douglas James in 1985 and Susanne Joy in 1988. Mindy and Richard raised their children in Edmond where many long-lasting family friendships were established. Along with Richard, Douglas and Susanne were the highlight of her life, until, of course, she became a grandparent. James, Cade, Oliver and Dottie came in to add joy in every way for both Mindy and Richard. Mindy was happiest when spending time with family, friends and especially grandkids.

Once her kids were off to college, Mindy began her second act by returning to college to complete her dream of becoming fluent in both French and Spanish. She went on to become a professor of both French and Spanish, most recently heading up the French department at Oklahoma City University. Mindy’s favorite part of teaching was in interacting with her students whom she enjoyed immensely. She had the innate ability to instill a love of learning into anyone enrolled in her classes. Mindy also had a lifelong desire to write a book. She accomplished this fete in 2020 by writing and publishing a book with her daughter, Susanne, which was dedicated to Richard’s 60th birthday.

With all of her accomplishments, Mindy’s favorite thing was being with and loving her family and friends. She was a master of many things, but her loving Christian spirit was her gift. Mindy loved her family and the Lord with her whole being. Mindy will always be remembered by the way she made people feel. She left each of us better for having been loved by her. Mindy is survived by her parents, Dee and Bud Maguire, her sister, Melissa and brother Mark. She leaves behind her husband of 41 years, Richard Nix, her children Douglas Nix and wife Erin and Susanne Huffman and husband Bobby and four grandchildren, James, Oliver, Cade and Dottie. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday December 9th at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, 222 NW 15th St. OKC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Mindy to OU Health, Stephenson’s Cancer Center, PO Box 258856, OKC 73125-8856.