Nancy Hedstrom Coon, 82

Nancy Hedstrom Coon found the brightest spotlight and biggest stage she could while surrounded by the warmth and love of "her girls" in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011. Always one to be the center of attention either while singing off key for a crowd, playing an organ or piano, or sitting idly by as friends and family told stories about her wild antics, Nancy remained charming, loving and humorous through her last days.

Nancy was born in Coeur d'Alene June 25, 1928, and remained in the Northwest after graduating from Coeur d'Alene High in 1945, while attending college at Washington State University and taking on teaching assignments. She settled in central California where she taught, established numerous organizations and programs for special needs children and their families, was selected for the Porterville State Hospital board, was a Tulare County School District administrator, and volunteered her time and passion to a number of educational committees and organizations. She was also active in community theater taking on the lead in many productions at the Barn Theater in Porterville, Calif.

Nancy also traveled the world as an active member and president of Zonta and was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and Calvary Lutheran Church in Morro Bay, Calif.

Her time in the spotlight didn't come from only community theater. In 2003, Nancy was a contestant on the Wheel of Fortune and managed to be the winning finalist in between her flirting with Pat Sajak. She solved the puzzle "Power Windows" by selecting every letter in the phrase except for the Os.

Nancy and her companion Arleigh Snyder moved back to Coeur d'Alene to be close to family in 2009 while gracefully and valiantly fighting cancer.

Parents: Archibald Gibson, Margaret Gibson, Daughter: Maribeth Hedstrom, Brother: Robert Gibson all preceded her in death.

Survived by her brother, Gene McMillan; daughters, April Hyder, Capitola, Calif., Leslie and husband Robert Dilley, Hayden, Heather Hurtado, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Patti Rice, Bakersfield, Calif.; grandchildren, Bobby, Emily, Chris, Marie, Jeff, Scott, Marcus, Theresa, Dustin, Crystal and Zachery; 20 great-grandchildren; and longtime companion Arleigh Snyder.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens.

Please visit Nancy's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.