Theresa Lynn Nording, 64, of Mount Vernon, WA passed away on March 6, 2022. She was born on October 11, 1957 in Mount Vernon, WA the daughter to Mildred Leslie (Stevens) and Leroy Stevens.
She graduated and worked at Skagit Valley College. She was known by everyone as the face behind the camera. She volunteered with Leadership Skagit as a photographer and enjoyed traveling wherever the road would take her to get a great photo. She loved her family first and foremost and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Theresa is survived by her children, Jennifer Supler (Christopher), Andrew Nording, Alyssa Wood (Tyler); grandchildren, Kendra Kail, Bryson Wood, Andrew Nording, Jr., Kelsey Supler; mother and stepfather, Mildred and Floyd Leslie; siblings, Shirley DeMain (Gary), Deborah Stone, Ronald Stevens (Marie), Randi Bowman, Gary Stevens (Brenda), Carroll Leslie (Barbara); numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Leroy Stevens; brothers, Michael Stevens, Carl Stevens; mother-in law, Joanne Nording, her partner, Raphael Aranda (Rafa); and other extended family.
There will be a public viewing on Friday, March 11, 2022 from 9:00 to 7:00 at Lemley Chapel, 1008 Third St., Sedro-Woolley, WA. A Graveside service will be held at 2:00, on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Union Cemetery, 1450 Wicker Rd., Sedro-Woolley. All are invited to attend. Condolences and flowers can be sent to Lemley Chapel.
Share your memories of Theresa and sign the online guest register.
Theresa gave us all so much. I had the honor of working with her at Skagit Valley College for many years. I am so thankful for her grace and compassionate outlook to treat people with kindness, dignity and respect. She was a great ambassador for students in the registration area.
Her photography was another way she brought us all together and captured moments and memories that define so many of our community events.
My deepest condolences to her family. Thank you for sharing her with us all these years. Peace be with you.
All my love for you Jennifer and Kelsey! I am so sorry. Rest peacefully mama.
For me, knowing and working with Theresa was pure joy. Our friendship began when she joined Leadership Skagit, Class of 2009. Before Theresa, Leadership Skagit photographs were few and far between, taken with an outdated, battery-eating camera. After Theresa began documenting her personal experience in the Class of 2009 with her own camera, she asked if it was possible to continue in that role for subsequent classes. I had the biggest smile possible in that moment. Theresa went on to document over a decade of LS classes, often taking personal vacation time to attend retreats, class study days and tours, graduations and alumni events. In addition, she was often a volunteer van driver, editor of publications, creator of PowerPoints and provider of professional level photographs to LS graduates. I loved sitting with her as she searched for the perfect photograph to illustrate a moment in time. To say how much Theresa will be missed is to understand how much she gave us of her time, her talent and her wonderful, generous heart.
I worked at SVC with Theresa from a distant campus for 20 years at SVC. She was my “go to” person for detailed registration knowledge because she new EVERYTHING and she always picked up her phone. Usually I would hear her typing continuing during the call because she was the ultimate task master! She was always cheerful and spoke of her family often. We will deeply miss Theresa and her professionalism, work ethic, kindness, integrity and compassion. She made a difference and an impact! Wishing all her family and friends peace and comfort.
On March 6, 2022 we lost an Awesome woman and friend with a beautiful soul and HUGE heart and Heaven gained an Angel. You have been a pillar of Love and knowledge for so many, and Skagit County is better because of your willingness to help other. Anyone who knew Theresa Nording is better because of it. You helped me become a better person and your friendship was like no other, I’m so thankful for the time we spent together talking, laughing, grumbling and sharing pictures of our families, family was everything to her.
Rest in the arms of our Savior my friend until we meet again in Heaven
For me Theresa was an incredible support when I was Department chair of nursing at the Mount Vernon campus of Skagit Valley College. I could always turn to her with issues regarding registration, admissions, policies of the college, and all with her kindness and sense of humor. I don’t think I could’ve made it through the accreditation of our nursing program in 2006 without her. My prayers go out to her family at this time and know she was a special lady!
I met Theresa shortly after arriving at SVC; I worked with her fairly closely in my 3 years there and we bonded over the love of her grandchildren (whom she constantly boasted of with such joy). Theresa was always the first person I would think to go to about so many questions relating to my job, but also the college at-large. She was incredibly hard-working, knowledgeable, thorough, and direct. SVC has truly lost a pillar of knowledge, strength, and integrity; and her absence will be felt for many, many years to come. I am so thankful to have shared the moments with her I was able, and send love and prayers to her loved ones (especially her grandchildren that she spoke so fondly of). Rest In Peace and Love, Theresa.
I met Theresa at many ARC conferences over the years. She was one of the sweetest and gentle spirits – I have come across. She welcomed me to sit at her table at one of the first conferences I attended.
We talked story about all of the wonderful things we were doing at our colleges.
Her love was a love of action by the love she shared with me-as a newbie to the conference. She is forever our Angel now!
Condolences go out to her family, Theresa made being photographed an easy task with her kind smile and encouraging words. I remember her as a friendly and positive person to all. I am grateful to have had the chance to know Theresa.
She will be missed by many.
Theresa, was an inspiration to me. She served on my hiring committee at Skagit Valley College over 16 years ago and she trained me to be the best I can be at my job. Theresa had a memory for details that surpassed everyone I have ever known. I always joked that her mind was like a steel trap; once something was stored in there it never left. Theresa was a kind, giving person with an infectious laugh and I will truly miss her.
I feel incredibly blessed that I spent the last four years working closely with Theresa at SVC. She had such deep knowledge within her role and the institution, which was invaluable. I would like to share one memory that stands out.
Theresa and I would take turns hosting the staff meetings for our teams. If you have ever had the privilege of attending a Theresa Nording training, you will know it was usually very technical and to the point. Something along the lines of “don’t forget to use the asterisk (*) instead of the minus (-) after the tenth day”.
But for this staff meeting, Theresa hosted an activity instead of her usual reminders. I believe she may have picked this activity up through her time at Leadership Skagit or possibly during an Admission and Registrars Council meeting.
She had us watch the TedTalk “Leading with Lollipops” by Drew Dudley. In this talk, Dudley shares a story of impacting a student’s life without even knowing he did so. He quotes, “we need to redefine leadership as being about lollipop moments, how many of them we create, how many we acknowledge, how many we pay forward, and how many we say thank you for.”
After the short video, Theresa pulled out a giant bag of lollipops and passed them around. It was our turn to recognize someone who created a lollipop moment in our own life. I, unfortunately, cannot remember who Theresa recognized during that meeting. However, one of our team members shared their lollipop with Theresa. Honoring her for the impact, she had, without even knowing it.
While Theresa was a stickler for following the procedures and policies, she always made time for the lollipop moments. She was the first to plan a potluck, gather for the birthday celebration, and always had her camera to capture the moments. She was giddy to chat with you about family, vacation plans, and how you spent your weekend.
Theresa is missed dearly. To honor her, I invite you to watch Leading with Lollipops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVCBrkrFrBE) and share a lollipop with someone who has impacted you.
I shared a lot of Leadership Skagit events with Theresa. We both shared an interest and love for photography and people. She took photos when I was part of the 2019 SWAN awards. We shared stories about our families she always had an adventure story to tell me about some thing with Kendra. I thought of her as a friend and I missed her during our Covid isolation time, I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to reconnect in the last year. I will miss her.
Theresa was the selfless historian of Leadership Skagit. That program has profoundly impacted so many lives and Theresa documented that and I am forever grateful. Her commitment to her family and her relationship with her granddaughter was a beautiful model of how generations can support each other. I’m so glad I could know Theresa and her presence will be missed on this earth.
I’ll always remember Theresa as an extremely caring and hardworking colleague of many years. She did this for the benefit of students, for her fellow SVC employees, and for her family. “Going beyond the call of duty” was par for the course for Theresa. She never hesitated to work beyond paid hours, or to take on more work, on behalf of students. Her answer (when I scolded her for this) was always, “the students need this.”
Collaborating with her on reports, committees, and just day-to-day work items was always refreshing due to her direct and honest way of communicating. She did not mince words, and one could also be straight with her without pause.
She was always interested in the welfare of others, and we often talked about family, which was her top priority. Photos of her granddaughter adorned her office wall and were a source of pride, joy, and inspiration for her.
She will be sorely missed by so many here at Skagit Valley College, and in the community. Her spirit and work ethic will be irreplaceable.