Sharon M. “Mia” Gordon, 66, of Bloomington died May 26, 2017 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Ms. Gordon was born on Aug. 30, 1950 in Steubenville, Ohio, a daughter of Harry E. and Edith Nork Waugh and was raised in Riverside. She attended Illinois State University in Normal and earned a bachelor’s degree in science education and a master’s degree in early childhood education.
After working multiple jobs to pay for her college education, on May 29, 1971, she married her college sweetheart, Rich Gordon.
Ms. Gordon then began her 27-year teaching career at Holy Trinity Grade School in Bloomington and continued on to Central Catholic High School and Le Roy High School, finally spending the final 19 years at Bloomington High School where she retired in 2000.
Besides being an excellent math teacher, Ms. Gordon was a devoted coach’s wife and mother, helping out in every way possible by providing unwavering support and serving as the family’s No. 1 fan.
She was a loving mother raising her children, Matt and Shelly, and took great pride and made great personal sacrifices to become a “granny nanny” for all six of her grandchildren. Her first grandchild, Carly, struggled to pronounce “Grandma” and affectionately named her “Mia,” which she was then proudly known as thereafter to friends and family.
Ms. Gordon loved to shop, and would never miss a bargain, a garage sale and was an expert at hosting her own garage sale. She also loved to travel especially when she could take a cruise. Additionally, she loved exercising and staying in shape. Most of all, she loved her family, grandchildren, and friends, and all who knew her loved Sharon dearly.
The family especially wishes to thank her WOW Bible Study Group, the “Sew” Sisters, the ISU 9th Floor Whitten Girls, and all who embraced Sharon with prayers, well-wishes and outstanding medical care, especially including our “angel” hospice nurse, Julie, to support the MiaStrong cause.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31 at St. Patrick Catholic Church of Merna in Bloomington.
Entombment will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington. Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice Care.
She is survived by her husband, Rich Gordon of Bloomington; her daughter, Shelly (Chuck) Fisher of Bloomington; her son, Dr. Matthew R. (Jodi) Gordon of Dunlap; her grandchildren, Carly, Chase and Camry Fisher and Alli, Tyler and Katie Gordon; her mother, Edith Waugh; her sister, Nancy Valenta and her niece, Tricia Valenta all of Lisle.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harry E. Waugh; her brother, Richard Waugh and her in-laws, Ed and Dorothy Gordon.
Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home, Bloomington, assisted the family with arrangements.
