NANCY R. KORDYAK

Our friends and family – It is with counted blessings I share with you the conclusion of the phenomenal life of Nancy Kordyak – an extraordinary woman who will be so missed by us all. Born in Loma Linda to Ralph and Hazel Feil, Mom spent her entire life in San Bernardino. Growing up in Muscoy (yes, we will always tease you can take the girl out of Muscoy but not the Muscoy out of the girl), she came to love the piano at a young age, and it carried throughout her lifetime. She was a graduate of San Bernardino High School in 1958 and was lucky enough to attend her 50th high school reunion this October (what a class!). From high school she went on to Long Beach State and by the young age of 21, was hired as an elementary school teacher with the Rialto Unified School District where she spent a 40-year career with another love – children – as a kindergarten teacher and administrator. Mom brought an incredible level of love, support, and understanding to all her family, friends, those she worked with, and her students. For 46 years, she shared a marriage filled with humor, love, and yes, sometimes feistiness, with my dad, Don, and for 33 years I was truly blessed to have her as my mom. She was a second mom to my husband, Kevin, and a grandmother above all grandmothers to our children, Cameron and Alexandra. We will forever be thankful of Mom’s decision to retire so she could be a full-time grandma and the most important teacher in our children’s lives. We could not have been any luckier. May Mom’s love for children and music continue to live on in all of us. We invite everyone to Sturges Center for the Fine Arts at 780 North E Street in San Bernardino on Saturday, December 13 at 10:30 a.m. and join us in a tribute fitting for our Nancy K – one filled with music, laughter and love. To ensure today’s children have the same opportunity to appreciate music equal to the way her students did, our family requests donations be made to the music program at Clare Cherry School, 3512 North E Street, San Bernardino, California 92405 where children – ages 2 through 6th grade – will continue to learn and experience music as part of their education. Here’s to everyone that helped make Mom’s life great – and may we all celebrate knowing she made our lives better. Always, Carrie Kordyak Gilbreth

NANCY R. KORDYAK

October 8, 1940 - December 6, 2008