Lola Gordon Obituary

Lola Gordon, 87, a life long Reno resident passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Friday, April 14, 2023. To say the least, she was the most courageous person. She fought valiantly with her individual health issues - there were many - with grace and dignity. She was born on July 29, 1935 and raised on the family ranch in Franktown, Washoe Valley. She was a true Heidenreich at heart. She attended the one room school house her mom taught at until moving to Reno to attend high school. Mom was a member of the first graduating class at the "new" Reno High School. She went on to graduate from The University of Nevada earning her teacher's degree. While there, she played the flute in the University band and met the love of her life, a handsome saxophone player named Harvey Gordon Jr. They married on August 18, 1957. Later, mom went on to earn her Master's Degree. Soon after their marriage, the army moved dad to Anchorage, Alaska. Mom was able to move there with him and teach at a local school. After dad's release, they moved back to Reno to establish their family of three children with their beloved beagle, Tippy. Mom taught first grade at various elementary schools, ultimately retiring from Libby Booth Elementary after many years of service in June 1998. We celebrated her retirement with a surprise party at the Nugget with family and many lifelong friends. A great time was had by all. Mom was a member of the Gamma Phi Delta sorority in college and a founding member of Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority. She was very proud of the lifelong friendships created through these organizations. Mom enjoyed reading, not only for her own pleasure, but also to children. After her retirement, she would visit Libby Booth Elementary School to read to 1st graders. This brought her extreme joy and she wanted to pass on her love of reading to these young children. She was a storyteller. She lovingly spoke of her childhood memories growing up on the ranch in Washoe Valley. If anyone needed information about Franktown, she was the one to go to. Her recall of the different ranches and families was phenomenal. Mom loved her family. She was kind, giving, loving and the sweetest person. She always saw the best in a person. Her family and faith gave her great happiness. Surviving are her children: Cindy Perez (Dave), Paul Gordon and Marvin Gordon (Cindy); grandsons Trevor and Joshua; several cousins and nephews. Arrangements by Walton's Funeral Home 875 W. 2nd Street Reno. Mass and burial on Wednesday April 26, 2023 1:00pm at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church 1139 Wright Street Reno. Reception to follow at The Elm Estate 1401 W. 2nd Street Reno. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you to donate to: Spread the Word Nevada - 290 Gentry Way, Suite 6, Reno, NV 89502 - in honor of Mom's lifelong joy of reading and teaching children. - The world is a little darker now that she is gone.