Obituary of Gwen Ann Cordova
Gwen Ann Cordova (75) resident of Spokane Valley, WA passed away on Hugus Creek near Calder, ID on May 14, 2023. She was born to Orville (Bud) and Betty (Barton) Bruce on June 23, 1947, in Tekoa, WA. Gwen grew up in Rosalia, WA where her nickname was “Cookie” on a farm and was the first female FFA member there. She loved riding horses and was a talented baton twirler, basketball player, and cheerleader. Gwen graduated from Rosalia High School with the class of 1965.
Following high school, Gwen moved to Spokane to attend Mr. Lee’s School of Beauty. When she finished the program, she went to work in a salon on the Northside of Spokane. At the age of 20, she met Daniel McCormack, and they married in February 1968 at Fairchild Air Force Base. The family lived in Garden Springs before settling in Spangle, WA. In 1991 Daniel and Gwen divorced, but she stayed in the home and ran a salon out of it for 24 years. Gwen’s home in Spangle was the hub for hair ladies, friends, and anyone who needed to visit about their problems and/or successes. The neighbors across the street were a godsend. Rainy and family were always there with a helping hand and vice versa. She also spent time as a Preschool Teacher, PTA Member, Liberty HS Cheerleading/Dance/Drama team coach and Gonzaga Cheerleading Coach. Gwen attended Spokane Falls Community College to obtain education in their Chemical Dependency Counseling Program.. She met David Cordova while at college, and the couple married in the spring of 1996. Gwen went to work at Healing Lodge and then the Spokane County Prosecutor’s office. In August of 1998, David passed away. An opportunity opened up for Gwen with the Spokane Tribe as a Case Manager in their TANF program. She held this position for 14 years and retired in 2013.
Once Gwen retired, she moved to Bieber, CA where she took care of her horses and learned the art of woodworking. Sequim, WA was her next adventure where she enjoyed the lavender and oyster farms, fishing, and decorating her yard. In July of 2022 Gwen settled into her retirement community in Spokane Valley; however, she still enjoyed traveling, going on adventures camping, huckleberry picking, and spending time up the St Joe River and its surroundings. In her earlier years she bowled in 3 bowling leagues and had the best time dressing up with her friend Lorna Schieche. There are memories of costumes in hula skirts, bear costumes in the color of purple and gold, and many others. They attended the bowling nationals most every year. Another love of Gwen’s was cars, including a Camaro, a Gran Torino Elite, and a Magenta Ford pickup just to name a few. It was important to Gwen to always be able to drive something nice and unique.
Gwen is survived by her children Lisa (Jim) Hilde of St. Maries, ID and Julie Yackel of Spokane Valley, WA; brother Lynn (Elise) Bruce of Rosalia, WA; 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 nephews and 1 niece. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband David Cordova.
A Celebration of Life for Gwen will be held on Friday June 23, 2023 ,5:00 pm at the Spangle Service Club in Spangle WA.
