In Loving Memory NANCY R. KORDYAK 10/08/1940 -12/6/2008 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 Online Condolences From: Tracy Gossert   Highland CA Relationship:  Friend From State Street Salon My heart goes out to you all. Nancy was such a beautiful lady, and I enjoyed talking to her each tim she came to the salon. She had such great advise for me with raising my children, and I just loved her laugh. We will all miss her at State Street Salon, and pray that your memories, and God's love will help you to heal each day. Sent:  12/10/2008 From: John Galenec   Rancho Cucamonga CA Relationship:  Friend, Co-Worker, Friend A smile is on my face every time Nancy's name is mentioned. Class act and made me laugh all the time. We laughed more than talked at work. We laughed even more outside of work as well. Sent:  12/10/2008 From: Carol Kirtland   Highland CA Relationship:  Friend What a wonderful person Nancy was. She was truly blessed with the most pleasant smile and just such a kind soul. She will be missed by all but always remembered in our hearts. Bless you Don, Carrie, Kevin and kids. Love Carol Sent:  12/11/2008 From: Jim Kissinger   San Bernardino Ca. Relationship:  Friend Carrie, What a beautiful and joyful celebration of your mother’s life in today’s paper. We are saddened by her passing, but we are delighted that she is remembered and revered so deeply by you. Your love for your mother must be one of her greatest legacies. Our Condolences, Jim and Judy Kissinger Sent:  12/11/2008 From: Tony and Katie Ankrum   Redlands CA Relationship:  Friends We are very saddened by the passing of Nancy. She was a great LADY. She will be missed greatly. Sent:  12/11/2008 From: Kaye Espinosa   Redlands CA Relationship:  Kindergarten teacher RUSD (1964-1985 Nancy truly was a remarkable woman. She was admired and respected by all who knew her. She had a wonderful sense of humor, an awesome smile, and an unforgetable laugh. She will be greatly missed and forever loved by all. Sent:  12/12/2008 From: Adrienne Ables Philpott   Highland California Relationship:  Friend I am a classmate of Don's from SBHS of 1953 and was a co-worker of JoAnn Kordyak. We, of the Class of 1953 extend our condolences to all the members of Nancy's family. Sent:  12/12/2008 From: Ben Montijo   San Bernardino CA Relationship:  student Carrie... Your Mom was my kindergarten teacher way back in 1967-68. I remember her smile and she was kind and a very special teacher. I was blessed to have her as my teacher because she made school fun. Over the years she and your dad would eat at Nena's Mexican Restaurant and they would see my Mom (she worked there)and they would talk about me (good things of course) May God bless you and your whole family. I'm sure that she was a wonderful Mom and will be truly missed. Sent:  12/12/2008 From: Terry Creason   Yucaipa Ca. Relationship:  Friend and ex-neighbor What a genuine and great lady. I missed her when we moved from the neighborhood and will miss her more now. What a beautiful tribute you wrote to her Carrie. My heart goes out to you all.I know she is shining down on all of you. Thoughts and prayers, Terry Creason Sent:  12/12/2008 From: Sean Sutherland   Rialto California Relationship:  Former Student I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Nancy Kordyak (aka Mrs. Kordyak). I was one of her first grade students quite a long time ago. Not many teachers have stood out in my mind except for Mrs. Kordyak. She was an extraordinary teacher and a wonderful person. I remember she used to play the piano for us in class as long as we were being good. I'm sure she will be greatly missed by so many people. Sent:  12/12/2008 From: Lisa (Finch) Daniels   San Bernardino California Relationship:  kindergarten student (JP Kelly) Ms.Kordyak has always been and will always be my most favorite teacher. I loved her so much, that even after I went on to junior high, and high school, I went back to visit her. She was a wonderful lady/teacher. She will be greatly missed. Sent:  12/12/2008 From: Mary Baerg   Altadena CA Relationship:  Friend of Carrie Carrie & Family, our hearts and prayers are with you all. The few times I met your mom, I was struck by what a radiant beam of light she was and still is as she shines through you and all whom she touched. A big virtual hug to you all. Sent:  12/12/2008 From: Bill & Carolyn Rogers   Highland CA Relationship:  friend Dear Donald, So very sorry for your loss. May Gods love comfort you and your family. Sent:  12/13/2008 From: Barbara and Frank Horzen   Rialto CA Relationship:  parent of children whose life she touched I was one of the lucky parents whose children were part of Nancy's educational touch. Being with her at Hughbanks Elementary was a blessing. She was a wonderful role model and example to all. It was also a blessing to watch my daughter Sara sing with Henry Vapa Performing Arts at her Celebration of life. That auditorium was a tribute of who she was, to all who knew her. Thank you Nancy for being a "light " to all who knew you. Sent:  12/16/2008 From: Al Merwitz   Katzenbach Germany Relationship:  Old Old School friend. Dear Don, I just heard the sad news of your wife's passing. I wish you and yours gods comfort. May your future be filled with all pleasant memories of Nancy. Sent:  12/23/2008 From: Ken Mummery   San Diego California Relationship:  Classmate It was a joy to see Nancy at our 50th reunion. She shall be missed. Sent:  1/24/2009 From: JoAnn Hunt Papavero   SAn Clemente California Relationship:  Friend Itis still hard for me to reckon with the death of Nancy. She was a great friend--we shared life from Sturges 7th grade in Miss Murphy's class through high school and college. She was there for every important event in my life. And what a teacher! She was so talented with her music as well as caring and compassionate spirit. She loved children and they loved her. Judy Price Mercadante, Pat Wood Bobbitt, and I will miss the 4th member of our foursome; we looked so forward to our luncheons, birthdays, and Christmas greetings. Carrie and her family are a living legacy of what Nancy was able to achieve in her lifetime. Sweet memories surround us all. Nancy was truly one in a million and her goodness lives on and reminds us all of what is important in life. Sent:  2/6/2009 Send an Online Condolence   View Printer-Friendly Page