UPDATE Feb. 5

The following update comes from Kim Schapansky, accompanist for the FCS music department.

As many of you already know, one of our very-involved music students and a FCS lifer, junior Andrew Guthrie, lost his mother very suddenly last Friday. Many of you have asked how you can help.

Their church, Northeast Assembly of God, is coordinating meals and this would be a very practical way to show our love and care for them.

The meals are being coordinated through the Takethemameal.com website. Here’s what you do to help the family:

Log on to takethemameal.com
Family name is Guthrie
Password is Nancy

Better yet, here’s a direct link to their meal schedule: takethemameal.com From there, a schedule will come up & you’ll see which dates are available. Their address and a map are also available if you need them.

Thanks so much for your care and concern for Andrew and his family. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

Blessings,
Kim Schapansky

ORIGINAL ARTICLE, FEB. 4

The Feather regrets to inform its readers that on Friday, January 31, campus mom Nancy Lynn {Critchfield} Guthrie (52) passed away due to unknown causes.

The same week, Wednesday, Jan. 29, Mrs. Guthrie’s father-in-law, Lenard Denver Guthrie (86) also passed away due to natural causes.

Mrs. Guthrie was a Staff Information System Analyst at the California Highway Patrol (CHP) beginning in 1991. She was married to her husband of 22 years on April 13, 1991, at New Hope Community Church in Clovis, CA. But above all she considered herself a mother and caretaker for her family. Her children were the pride of her life.

Mrs. Guthrie is survived by her husband Randall Guthrie (56), her son, campus junior Andrew, (16), her step-son Dustin (30) and her daughter, Rachel (21).

The Feather staff offers its condolences to the Guthrie family and all families affected in their passing. The Feather also encourages readers to leave messages for the family through the comments section below.

Principal Todd Bennett offers his condolences to the Guthrie family and encourages students to be available and present in the family’s life, as well as pray continuously for the family.

“If there’s any comfort to be had, it’s knowing she’s with God,” Bennett said. “She {Nancy} raised her children to be kind and loving and that’s not going to change. It’s always hard to know what to say to people when they’re grieving, especially after a sudden loss, but it doesn’t matter what you say; just be kind and loving and supportive.”

Junior Andrew Guthrie chooses to remember his mom in her best moments, specifically by her contagious laugh.

“Anytime there was a conversation she would just talk up a storm,” Andrew said. “You could hear her laugh from across the house sometimes; it was just contagious. She lightened up the mood every time she spoke, and that’s something I’ll always remember.”

Andrew recalls going through trying times due to bullying and how his mother dedicated herself to helping him overcome the incident. Andrew admires everything she did for him throughout his life.

“During my junior high years I had a lot of problems with being picked on and bullied,” Andrew said. “She was willing to help me to make sure I would be alright. Just a couple days before she passed away, she told me that she was so happy that after all the work and stress, I was up on my feet and couldn’t be knocked down.”

Services will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Northeast Assembly of God, Feb. 7. The family asks that all attendees wear red, as it was her favorite color.

Through takethemameal.com anyone can sign up to bring the Guthrie family a meal by using the last name, Guthrie, and Nancy as the password.

Remembrances may be made to Fresno Christian School Music Program, 7280 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno, CA 93720.

This author can be reached via Twitter: @TyninFries. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @TheFeather.

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