Nellie Sixtus
Nailya (Nellie) is originally from Russia, and now lives in Nelson with her Kiwi husband, Barry. Nellie was born in Vladivostock, which is most famous for being the end of the line for the Trans-Siberian Express.
Early in life, she showed a passion for education. Her parents hid books, because the number of books the girl was reading seemed plain dangerous! “I loved reading so much!” Nellie recalls. “Sometimes I had to lock myself in the bathroom to read an interesting book, so that my parents couldn't see me. Mum was a doctor and thought reading that much wasn’t safe. She asked me to swap to playing sports.” Nellie agreed and even managed to win a few trophies in cross-country skiing and orienteering.
She graduated from Saratov State University, founded in 1909 on the River Volga, with a BA honours degree in Philology (the study of languages) and also qualified as a teacher of English Language and Literature.
After leaving university she started teaching English, first at a school, then technical college, followed by the university. After teaching she worked as a translator.
Once whilst translating in Russia for a visiting US scientist, she was mistaken for a KGB Major!
In 1996, she was awarded a medal for her work by then Russian president, Boris Yeltsin, and moved to the USA to study at the University of Florida, Gainesville.
In 2001, she was on holiday in Thailand, and it was there that love blossomed and she met her husband, Barry. They married and moved to Nelson, Barry's hometown, in 2002.
Nellie is a qualified Life Coach, translator and published author. She has worked and studied in Russia, USA and New Zealand. She also has a fantastic organic vegetable garden!
