Longtime teacher, election official, volunteer honored
~ PVN staff report
LURAY, April 8 — On Tuesday, Luray High School packed its auditorium with students, teachers, staff, local officials, friends and family members to honor a “special lady.”
“To say Nancy Gordon is a super civil servant is truly an understatement,” said Sarah Getz, a history teacher at LHS.
Principal Nicky Clark welcomed the crowd gathered for the ceremony before turning it over to Getz, who organized the entire event. Many were wondering what the “surprise” was and what they were doing there.
“She has no idea,” one attendee said as she took her seat in the audience and Getz wheeled Gordon out onto the stage in her wheelchair.
“I bet you are all wondering what you are doing here,” Getz told the crowd, before turning toward Gordon. “And I know you’re wondering what’s going on.”
“Definitely,” Gordon replied.
With that, Getz began the 10-minute presentation, which reflected back over Gordon’s life and service to the community.
“Nancy is the epitome of service, love, and community,” said Getz. “Think about the literal thousands of people she has positively impacted. Try and wrap your mind around the amount of hours she has dedicated to better her community.”
Among her accomplishments:
- 42 years teaching 1st grade for Page County Schools, and in the last couple of years in retirement she has read to students at Stanley Elementary;
- 38 years serving as an election official on the Page County Electroal Board;
- 43 years serving as a volunteer at Page One;
- 63 years serving as a member of the Edith Rebekah Lodge.
Getz then shared a half dozen quotes about Nancy from family and friends:
• Laura Yates (Nancy’s youngest daughter): “Growing up…Sunday school and worship were givens. Mom taught the 5th grade class. Dad taught the big kids. We sat on the third pew back from the piano, like stair steps, oldest to youngest. Very often, Livia, Nan, and I wore matching outfits. As the youngest, I wore mine until I outgrew it, then Nan’s, then Livia’s. We knew our best behavior was the expectation. Our Aunt Wanda and Uncle Kenny sat in front of us. Aunt Nancy and Uncle Julian sat behind us. I thought that was how every family lived, surrounded by family.”
• Brent Gordon (Nancy’s oldest son): “We have always been proud of our Mom. Her will to help others is ubiquitous and stalwart. She has been an inspiration and a fine example. We love you Mom. Thanks to everyone back home for recognizing her dedication today.”
• Judy Aleshire (Nancy’s younger sister and partner in crime): “Among Nancy’s earliest memories is the day I was born. As a 3 and half year old, she thought our mom was dying. Through the years, we have always been there for each other. My favorite memories are our road trips. The three sisters would pile into a car and off we would go. We would visit our brother and his family in Kansas. Not wanting to miss out on ANYTHING, we would stop at attractions along the way. Imagine me, strolling around a botanical garden with Nancy and Wanda! We could write a book about our adventures, and not need to make up a single detail. A lifetime of memories!”
• Amity Moler (Page County Administrator): “The Board of Supervisors stopped having holiday dinners for county staff the year they raised real estate and personal property taxes significantly to pay for the two new high schools. About 5 years ago, I found a way for us to have the holiday dinner at the expense of the employee, if they chose to participate at $2 per paycheck. I think we only had about 25 staff participate and Nancy, as an Electoral Board member was one of them. I thanked her for coming and she said “honey, you can always count on me for a party!” I will never forget that.”
• Layne Vickers (Luray Methodist Church sister): “Nancy Gordon and her family have been part of the backbone of Luray Methodist Church for at least a half century. She has served her home church in numerous capacities and the Methodist Women group is near and dear to her heart. She is famous for the good food she cooks for potluck dinners. Nancy has the heart of a Methodist.”
• Alyce Getz (Nancy’s dear friend and another partner in crime): “I have known and been good friends with Nancy for many years. She taught both of my daughters in 1st grade and did a wonderful job…they both loved her and they learned everything a first-grader should learn! I have grown close to her in the 12+ years that we have served together on the Page County Electoral Board. Nancy is a very smart and knowledgeable lady with a great sense of humor and a warm personality, both of which make her a lot of fun to be around! As you have heard today, she is an important part of the community with all her many years of teaching and volunteering. On a more personal level, when you need a supportive friend, she has always been right there for many people. I love my friend and colleague, Nancy!”
Then Getz shared her own personal story about Gordon:
“My favorite story about Nancy is from 1976 when she was my 1st grade teacher. Her style of teaching fit me like a glove…serious and fun. I loved sitting on her lap. My family butchered hogs growing up and apparently an old time prank (I can’t remember where the idea came from) was to tie a bow on the tail of the hog and gift wrap it, which I couldn’t wait to give Mrs. Gordon. So there she was with all of her students watching as she unwrapped the ‘present’. When she opened it, she just giggled and said ‘why thank you Sarah for such a wonderful gift’ and we all had a good laugh. I loved going to school to be around Mrs. Gordon and now almost 50 years later love having her be a guest speaker in my classes.”
Getz then presented Gordon with a Lifetime Achievement Award “for her dedication to help make Page County a better place.” The “surprise” guest of honor stuck around to talk with students, former students, colleagues and friends. However, when she received the award, she seemed at a loss for words.
“I would have dressed in all pink if I’d known what was going on today,” Gordon said, searching for her next words. “I’m overwhelmed…I just love you all so much.”
A student shouted from the crowd, “We love you too.”
For more information on Page County Public Schools,
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Nancy Gordon is a beautiful person inside and out. She is so deserving of this recognition.
Ditto to Judy’s comment. My mother and Nancy were forever friends. I will never, ever forget the care and support that Nancy and Judy gave to my mother during her battle with cancer. Nancy always makes me – and others – smile. She is truly an angel on earth and I love her so.
Where do I start? Well, “ole lady Gordon” as she is so fondly known at our house, is truly at the top of the list of dedicated, true to her word, Christian, true blue friends. She has the biggest heart and always ready to help anyone in need and she’s always up for ice cream !! I love you Nancy and I sure do miss you ❤️
Nancy Gordon and her family have been life-long friends of our family. We have all been there for each other through thick and thin, and when we couldn’t, we always knew we were with each other in spirit. I call her my second Mom because just like my own mother, I cannot imagine what my life would be without her. Love you, Nancy.