The Ark
SUBSCRIBE
The Ark
SUBSCRIBE
SECTIONS
TiburonBelvedereStrawberryStateElection 2026El NiñoColumnsBusinessSchoolsSportsEntertainmentCalendarObituariesPublic NoticesAround TownVisit
SUBMIT
Letter to the editorSend a news tipCalendar eventPaid obituarySports scoreMilestone or achievementBiz Buzz announcementChalkboard announcementEngagement or weddingBirth announcementPet remembranceGenerosity blurbCorrection request
ADVERTISE
Advertising guidePublic notices & legal adsClassified adsServices guide
EVENTS
Tiburon Peninsula eventsRegional community calendarSubmit a calendar eventLibrary calendarChamber calendar
AROUND TOWN
Ferries, meetings and eventsEmergency preparednessPublic meetingsTiburon Peninsula eventsGolden Gate Ferry scheduleAngel Island Ferry scheduleRoute 219 scheduleTown of TiburonCity of BelvedereBelvedere’s public lanesReed Union School DistrictBelvedere-Tiburon LibraryThe RanchStrawberry Recreation DistrictTiburon Peninsula Chamber of CommerceBelvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society
ACCOUNT
SubscribeLifetime subscriptionActivate your accessDigital replicaUpdate contact infoSubscriber helpNewsletter signupDonate

Nina Rutan Wells

Kevin Hessel
By KEVIN HESSEL · 1 min read

A ray of light, Nina Rutan Wells passed April 24, 2020, in a sudden and sad accident at the age of 21. Born and raised in Marin County, California and Blue Hill, Maine, she was a spirited young woman unified strongly with her two sisters, Madison and Cecilia.

A talented artist, Nina was uniquely creative and continuously mastering her drawing and painting. Her artwork has deep meaning and is a reflection of her distinct sense of expression.

She followed in the footsteps of her family with an incredible knack for cooking and took great pride in building up a repertoire of intricate meals and recipes. Nina loved celebratory feasts and always wanted to take part in family traditions.

Friendship meant a lot to Nina. She saw the good in her peers and felt drawn to offering to be a caretaker to others. She loved helping and holding a hand. She brought soulful joy and kindness to this world. Hearts are heavy without her in body and her soul will forever be near to her closest family and friends.

She is survived by her mother and father, Nadia Smith Volk and Benjamin Glyde Wells III; her two sisters, Madison Forrest and Cecilia Rose Wells; and her large extended family, the McCrums, the Wells, and the Smiths.

A version of this story appeared in the May 27, 2020, print edition of The Ark. See something wrong? Request a correction.
Add The Ark to Google Preferred Sources
Recent Stories
Belvedere parks panel makes Cliff Lane path to the shore its 2027 focus Tiburon crews box in downtown drains to keep tidewater off streets Belvedere painter Gordon Studer among 8 peninsula artists at ICB’s Big Open A former Wall Street banker finds her pace in Tiburon Tiburon dances in the light at fifth annual Diwali celebration
In print every Wednesday
Front page of The Ark, Wednesday, November 11 Nov. 11, 2026 E-EDITION
The Ark in your inbox

Local news from Tiburon, Belvedere and Strawberry, delivered by email.

Support The Ark’s commitment to high-impact community journalism.

The Ark, named the nation's best small community weekly for 2026, is dedicated to delivering investigative, accountability journalism with a mission to increase civic engagement and participation by providing the knowledge that can help sculpt the community and change lives. Your support makes this possible.

SUBSCRIBE Make a contribution