Special Education
Eddye Valenzuela
Died January 8, 2021.
West High School, Salt Lake City, UT
Special Education
The Salt Lake City school community is mourning the death of a longtime para educator, who family in Peru confirmed passed away from COVID-19.
He died surrounded by fellow Salt Lake City educators, who made sure Eddye Valenzuela wasn’t alone in his final moments.
Valenzuela, or “Mr. V” as the kids called him, was known for his work with families and kids on the west side, at both Glendale Middle School and West High School.
Valenzuela’s colleagues described him as always greeting them with a warm smile and expressing genuine care for students.
Keri Taddie, Coordinator at Glendale-Mountain View Community Learning Center, got to know Valenzuela through his work at Glendale Middle School, which is in the same building complex as the Community Learning Center.
She said Valenzuela was great at “really making people feel welcome, making students and families feel welcome.”
According to those who knew him, Valenzuela worked at the Salt Lake City School District for 13 years, most of that time spent at Glendale. It was in the last year or so, they said, that he transferred to West High School to work in the Special Education Department.
“He took the time to get to know the kids,” said Chris Gesteland, West Network Director at the Salt Lake City School District.
Gesteland also knew Valenzuela well from Glendale, where Gesteland used to be the principal.
He talked about how Valenzuela was one of the few educators who was able to translate for Spanish-speaking families. He connected the families to resources, and helped students succeed in school.
“He provided an amazing bridge between us and many of our community members,” Gesteland said. “Because not only did he translate, but he was able to develop relationships with families.”
For Valenzuela, those relationships turned into a real sense of family.
“Because he didn’t have family here, the school community became that space for him,” Taddie explained. “And so, it was important to him. He really cared about the students authentically, and not just because it was his job.”
Valenzuela was alone in Utah, Taddie said, having moved here from Peru to pursue a job in education.
It was those school family members, like Gesteland, who stood by Valenzuela last Friday in the hospital.
“I was able to be at Eddye’s bedside when he passed,” Gesteland said.
While Gesteland and Taddie couldn’t confirm or speak of how Valenzuela died, Valenzuela’s family in Peru told FOX 13 the paraprofessional recently contracted COVID-19.
The family members said they believe he contracted it at home from roommates.
They said Valenzuela initially went to the hospital, but then was sent home with oxygen. They described how a week before he passed away, he had a fever and a hard time breathing.
Valenzuela went back to the hospital, where he died.
His cousins described him as a great person who did a lot for his community, and was always taking care of his mother and family back in Peru.
“His time was cut short,” Taddie said. “It wasn’t time for him to go. It was unnecessary, and I think that’s to me is the biggest tragedy.”
Valenzuela’s family had to say goodbye to him over video chat, as colleagues surrounded him in person on Friday.
“He got to message his family. He got to see videos shared from Peru. He got to see pictures shared from Peru,” Gesteland recounted. “He had a cousin playing him music, and there were all of these little pieces that were able to happen on Friday morning that I think brought Eddye a lot of peace in that time and space.”
While they brought Valenzuela peace in his last moments, his school family is now left with a devastating loss.
The Salt Lake City School District confirmed Valenzuela’s death, but could not confirm the cause, saying they can’t comment on private employee health matters.
Gesteland set up a GoFundMe to help raise the funds to return Valenzuela’s remains home to Peru, as well as funds to support his family.
Dominique Bordagaray, 72
Died January 4, 2021.
McKinley Elementary School, Bakersfield, CA
Special Education
Dominique Bordagaray, 72, passed away January 4th, 2021, due to complications of COVID19. He died peacefully at Memorial Hospital with his wife and daughter holding his hands. Nick was a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was born May 12, 1948, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno, California. He was the oldest child of Ernest Bordagaray and Ora Faye (Roe) Bordagaray.
Nick graduated from East Bakersfield High School in 1966. He attended Bakersfield College and received an AA in 1969. After graduation he went to Germany to live with his mother and stepfather, Frank Spencer. While there he worked at the NCO Club in Pirmasens, Germany. While living there he was able to travel to many places in Europe, including the Basque Country where he met his extended family.
He returned to Bakersfield in 1972 and began attending Cal State University Bakersfield. During this time he met a neighbor, Kate Drost. They were married on August 26, 1974, at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Bakersfield. He continued going to school and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English and his teaching certificate in 1976. He taught college prep and Honors English at Garces Memorial High School for 15 years. Nick coached the Garces Academic Decathlon Team as well as the women’s soccer team. He also taught freshman English part time at CSUB. He switched careers and became a special education teacher in 1997. Since then he worked for Bakersfield City School District with students who have special needs.
Nick was a proud member of the Kern County Basque Club. While serving on the Club’s Board of Directors, he oversaw the Scholarship Program. He could be found in the kitchen washing dishes at most Club events. He really did that job well. Nick looked forward to attending Jaialdi in Boise, Idaho, this summer. Jaialdi is a Vizcayno word meaning Basque festival that brings everyone together every five years.
He enjoyed going out to dinner (in the old days), fishing, reading, and listening to the Grateful Dead. The neighbors could find him every evening and most Saturdays and Sundays sitting in the front of the garage smoking a cigar and watching some type of sports show. Nick’s favorite teams were the Dodgers, the Forty Niners, and the Blackburn Rovers. He looked forward to completing the LA Times’ Crosswords every day and telling jokes with his very dry sense of humor. He had great times with his nephew, Trevor Waldon, who would visit and smoke cigars with his uncle Nick. His favorite activity though was watching his daughter, Mary, play sports and later watching his grandchildren, Dominique, Mia, and Karra D’Amato, play their sports.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest, and his mother, Ora Faye. He leaves behind his wife, Kate Bordagary, his daughter, Mary D’Amato (husband Eric, and their three children, Dominique, Mia, and Karra), 8 siblings: Michael Bordagaray (wife Brenda), Trish Cobb (husband Mike), Michele Williams (husband Kelly), Jennie Preo (husband Mark), Ted Spencer (wife Dieuwke), Catherine Waldon (husband Grover), Jody Spencer (wife Noelle), John Bordagaray (wife Lisa), many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is now in heaven and will be missed but remembered by family, friends, students, and coworkers.
There will be no service at this time. We want to make sure we can have a real celebration of his life with our family and friends without worrying about anyone else becoming ill with Covid19. We are hoping to hold the celebration in June or July 2021. Contributions in his name can be made to the Kern County Basque Club Scholarship Fund, 2301 South Union Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93307 or the Independence Through GRACE Foundation, 1830 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 101, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
Judy Nye, 58
Died December 17, 2020.
Ogden High School, Ogden, UT
Special Education
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Judy, our loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, twin, family and friend. Judy tragically died of complications from COVID-19 on Thursday, December 17, 2020.
Judy will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Dee Nye; sons: Michael Berlin, Quincy (Baylee) Nye; stepdaughters: Laci Butterfield, Stevie (Becky) Petersen, Randee Nye, Rachell Nye; grandchildren: Daeden, Koda, Evan, Ryan, Ryder, Makhi, and Trey; siblings: Kim (Richard) Morrison, Josie (Steve) Wankier, Robb (Angie) Judkins, Jan (Paul-deceased) Walters; 15 nieces and 9 nephews; In-laws, Gary and Susan Nye, as well as numerous family and friends. Her cat, Annabelle and cherished dog, Lilee will never know a love greater than Judy’s.
She is preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Tammi (Brent) Field.
Judy was born on July 27, 1962 to Bonnie Jean Howard and Joseph Eugene Judkins. During her school years, Judy was set for a career in dance. She was a truly talented ballerina. She started dancing at age 8 and went on to become a member of the Junior Ballet West Company. She danced in numerous productions including Ballet West’s Nutcracker and the Opera, Aida. Judy’s young diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes may have changed her path in dance, but not her passion for life.
She found her passion and true calling when she began working in the Special Education Department for the Ogden School District in 1992. She cared deeply for her students and worked relentlessly to ensure all her students had equal opportunities for success. She loved her peers and faculty in her current position at Ogden High School.
Judy was always looking for new learning experiences. She continued with her higher education. Her interests never waived from her student population, but just in a different direction with her second job with Reliance, an employment agency for adults with disabilities. Her advocacy for the underserved, was one of her greatest qualities. She will be missed by all her students and clients.
Judy was a peacemaker and someone who was so sensitive that she could actually feel the pain or suffering of another. This gift compelled her to continually give of herself unselfishly. The people closest to her knew the blessing of having Judy in their lives and will forever be grateful.
Because Judy so often tried to help others, she found herself in situations when she became “Dick Tracy”. She seemed to thrive on solving the mystery or problem. Her latest sleuthing involved a 5 1/2-month search for her stolen dog, Lilee. With her drive and convincing nature, Judy had retired cops and county sheriff’s taking her dog chase to a new level.
Family was everything to Judy. She was always thinking about the children. Her kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and neighborhood children. Whenever kids visited, Judy had some activity or prize ready. Judy never missed a chance to spoil her precious grandbabies. She cherished the countless camping trips, holiday parties, bonfires, and absolutely adored her dates nights with Dee. Everything she posted on social media was about her love and gratitude of her family and all those special occasions with them.
Gardening was a joy for Judy. She cherished her roses and enjoyed planting favorite flowers for her yearly hummingbird visitors. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Judy. She loved sitting on her deck, watching the birds, and play with her pets. Her newest joy and pleasure was huggin’ and a squeezin’ her newest grandbaby, Trey. She had an uncanny ability to find happiness in her daily activities. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met.
Judy’s latest and greatest passion was quilting. She worked diligently, took classes, and ended up creating some of the most beautiful quilts people have ever seen. She generously gave them away as gifts, along with her many other creative crafts.
Judy lived a full life as a wonderful mother, wife, and worker. Most of all she loved her family and instilled in her sons strong values that have served them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
We will never get over losing Judy, but her sweet soul, love, and memories will live vicariously through her loved ones forever.
A private family viewing will take place on Wednesday, December 23, from 12:00 – 1:15 PM at Heritage Park Ward Church located at 250 North 1500 West, Ogden, Utah. Extended family and friends may watch the service on Judy’s obituary at Myers Mortuary website www.myers-mortuary.com at 2:00 PM.
A private burial service will be held at Washington Heights Memorial Park located at 4500 Washington Blvd. Ogden, Utah at 2:00 PM. An open mic to share memories will be available at the graveside.
In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to American First Credit Union. Judy Nye Memorial Account number # 9118647.
Tracy Jean Larsen, 56
Died October 29, 2020.
North Sanpete School District, Mount Pleasant, UT
Special Education
Tracy Jean Larsen, 56, returned to her loving Heavenly Father on October 29, 2020.
Tracy was born on February 14, 1964 to Bert and Elva Porter. She married the love of her life, Chad Larsen, October 25, 1986. Together they raised their two beautiful daughters, Candice (Larsen) Holman and Lindsay (Larsen) Wootton in Spring City, UT. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti, UT Temple on their 20th wedding anniversary, October 25, 2006.
Tracy dedicated her life to helping special needs children. She started her career as a Paraprofessional with the North Sanpete School District in 1992. She touched the lives of many students over her 28 years of service.
Tracy was a devoted grandmother. She loved to go swimming, to the park, having sleepovers, reading and singing with her grandkids. Oftentimes you could catch her climbing through the playplace at McDonald’s. Her grandkids were her everything. She had always dreamed of becoming a grandma. She was loved deeply by her 3 beautiful grandkids, Keerah (Cook), Braylin (Wootton) and Dreyson (Wootton).
Tracy is survived by her husband Chad; children, Candice (Layne) Holman and Lindsay (Brady) Wootton; three grandchildren; mom, Elva Porter and sister, Kim (Dale) Sanderson.
Preceded in death by her dad, Bert Porter, grandma, Norma Jansson, aunt, Betty Jansson and great uncle, George Porter.
A funeral services will be held Saturday November 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the Moroni Stake Center. Viewings will be held Friday, November 6, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Rasmussen Mortuary and Saturday, November 7, 2020 from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com
The State of Utah and Tracy’s family ask if you are attending please wear a mask.
Michelle Suire, 53
Died December 22, 2020.
S.J. Montgomery Elementary School, Lafayette, LA
Special Education
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 30th, at 12:00 P.M. in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille, for Michelle Murphy Suire, 53, who passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette. The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille’s downtown location on December 30th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. A Rosary will be prayed at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home.
Survivors include her children, Olivia Suire and Landon Suire, and their father, Trent Suire; her parents, George and Cheryl Murphy; her brother, George and his wife Amanda, and their three children, Tyler, Grant and Georgia; her sister, Monica and her daughter, Nia Claire; her Godfather, Terrell “Uncle Chubby” Melancon; and her friend, Stuart Colomb.
Gone too soon, Michelle was a loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher and friend. A graduate of Teurlings Catholic High, Michelle served in the United States Navy prior to graduating from ULL with a BA in Education. Michelle found her calling as a teacher, specifically an Inclusion Special Education teacher, focusing her love and attention on her wonderful students at SJ Montgomery Elementary School.
Above all, Michelle loved her children, Olivia and Landon. Traveling with her children, occasionally spontaneously to points undetermined, were some of her life’s most treasured moments. Beyond her children, she loved to spend time planting beautiful, colorful flowers throughout her yard, decorating her home, and her genuine love of animals proving to be the saving grace for more than a few stray dogs and cats.
A beautiful soul, Michelle leaves behind a loving family and friends, all of whom were blessed to have had her in their lives. She will be missed dearly, and she will always be loved.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Lafayette Animal Aid, Hospice of Acadiana or a charity of your choice.
Phillip Jimenez, 49
Died December 22, 2020.
Sam Houston High School, San Antonio, TX
Special Education, Football Coach
Considered a father figure to many of the athletes at Sam Houston, Hurricanes assistant football coach Phil Jimenez died Tuesday morning.
He was 49.
Jimenez had been hospitalized with COVID-19 since Dec. 15 and had been on a ventilator since Dec. 17. On Tuesday, Jimenez went into cardiac arrest and died.
“We’re heartbroken and devastated,” said Debra Jimenez-Munoz, Phil’s sister. “We were really praying for a miracle. We knew the chances were slim. We feel robbed. COVID’s taken a lot of people, and now, my brother.”
Jimenez was the youngest of four children. After graduating from Burbank in 1989, Jimenez attended Southwest Texas State (now Texas State), to study acting. After pursuing that field for several years, Jimenez contacted his defensive line coach at Burbank — George De Leon — about what he needed to do to get into coaching.
De Leon told him he needed to get a teaching certificate. And once he did that, he eventually made his way to the Sam Houston football staff seven years ago when he became De Leon’s coaching colleague with the Hurricanes.
De Leon first became acquainted Jimenez at Burbank when he needed a nose guard to fill a varsity spot for a scrimmage against Judson.
“They told me he was a freshman, and I said I don’t care,” said De Leon, who retired last year. “From what I’ve seen the last two weeks, he does a good job, and he’s very good at it. … He wasn’t the best defensive tackle I’ve ever had, but he was the best you could ask for when the time came. He rose to the occasion. He was tough and he was smart. That was the thing. You taught him one thing, and he knew it.”
Quincy Stewart, who just completed his first season as the Hurricanes’ head coach said Jimenez made an immediate impression on him when he first arrived at the Sam Houston campus.
“His love for Sam and the relationship-building ability with the community just spoke volumes to me,” Stewart said. “He was truly loved by the community and the school and he was a real big asset to my coaching staff.”
Jimenez-Munoz said her brother found coaching to be a rewarding profession.
“He was a father figure for many of the kids that perhaps didn’t even have a father or much of a home life,” Jimenez-Munoz said. “He was influential for many.”
Stewart said Jimenez carried an upbeat demeanor.
“Phil always had a smile on his face no matter what the day was or how the day went,” Stewart said. “He’d always say, ‘Coach, there’s a brighter side to these things.’ He always made sure that you would see the brighter things.”
Jimenez was the defensive line coach in football and coached baseball, soccer and track.
“We’re dealing with it tough,” Stewart said. “It’s going to be hard to move on with somebody who meant so much to our program.”
Jimenez-Munoz said the school is planning a memorial service and planting a tree in his name. The team will wear a “PJ” patch on their uniforms next season.
“This is not a thing we’ll let go,” Stewart said. “He’ll be on our coaching staff for a while, and we’ll honor him in everything we do as long as I’m at Sam Houston.”
Connie Williams, 63
Died October 22, 2020.
Montcalm Area Intermediate School District, Stanton, MI
Special Education
Connie Sue Williams, age 63, of Stanton, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
Connie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. It didn’t matter if she was at the lake, riding her motorcycle in the summer, or snowmobile in the winter, if her family and friends were around, Connie was enjoying life. She absolutely loved watching her granddaughters in whatever they were doing. Connie worked at the Montcalm County ISD for close to 30 years and not only loved working with the kids, but also all of her co-workers.
Surviving Connie is her husband, Chuck; sons, Jeremy (Christy) Williams and Josh (Stacey) Williams both of Stanton; granddaughters, Katelynn and Danielle; her sister, Karen (Mark) Kamradt of Stanton; many nieces and nephews, lots of great friends and many “adopted” kids.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Donald & Marleen (Hall) Keeler and her daughter, Mellissa Williams.
Jamie Sheffield, 60
Died December 16, 2020.
Bethel Middle School, Bryant, AR
Special Education, Cheer Coach,
Jmie Lynnette Sheffield, 60, of Bryant passed away December 16, 2020. She was born August 6, 1960 in Longview, Texas to James and Annette Sheffield. Jamie was a loved mom and Mimi. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy! Jamie was a pianist and an avid Razorback and Cowboys football fan. Jamie was an educator for over 30 years, and has been with the Bryant Public schools for the last 20 years. She was a Special Education teacher and Cheer Coach at Bethel Middle School. She will be missed by all the lives she touched as an educator and coach. Those left to cherish her memory are her parents: James and Annette Sheffield; children: Jeanna (Chad) Bartelt, Justin Hefner, Jordan (Keaton) McClintock, Jacob Hefner, and Jennifer (Jacob) Stepp; grandchildren: Camden, Gracey, Abbigail, Presley, Callee, and Kinslee; and sister, Kellie Sheffield.
Jane Kelly, 75
December 5, 2020.
Apache Junction High School, Apache Junction, AZ
Special Education
Jane Elizabeth Kelly, 75, of Apache Junction, AZ passed away December 5, 2020 in Casa Grande, AZ.
Shyla Pennington, 41
Died September 19, 2020.
Sugar Mill Elementary School, Port Orange, FL
Special Education
Graduated Mainland High School, 1997. She was employed as a Paraprofessional at Volusia County School, worked at Pine Trail Elementary, South Daytona Elementary and Sugar Mill Elementary for almost 2 decades. She helped with special needs children. Her passion was her students and her son, Phillip and South Beach Dance Academy. She was also involved with the Girl Scouts in her younger life and was also involved with the Mainland High School Band.
She was preceded by her grandparents Elmer and Phyllis Jones, Elton and Clara Mullis, and brother Gerald Jones (Paramedic), and Aunt Dinah Jones She is survived by her son Phillip Yutzy, Jr., parents, Greg and Mary Jones, sister-in-law Emily Jones, nephew, Joshua Jones, uncle Richard Jones, aunt Clara Lamb and cousins, Bill and Shirley Lamb, Caren Mulder.