Sharon Louise Cordova

Dr. Gilbert Michael Cordova and his wife of 55 years, Sharon Louise Cordova, passed away within days of each other in January 2025.

Sharon was born in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 27, 1938, and Gilbert was born in Manhattan, Kansas, on December 1, 1938. They are survived by their children, Matthew (Krista) Cordova and Carmen Cordova; their granddaughters, Charlie and Cecilia Cordova; and Gilbert’s younger sister, Alicia Lewis of Denver, Colorado.

Gil was a physician who practiced diagnostic radiology and was a long-time partner at The Portland Clinic. He was especially close with his radiology partner, Maurice Giraudier, and their beloved support staff of X-ray techs and admins. After leaving the clinic, he continued practicing through locum tenens work at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Kaiser, and the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound. Sharon was a social worker dedicated to helping abused and displaced children for various organizations. She was the first female social worker at the McLaren School for Boys, where she remained until Matt was born in 1971. She then became a full-time mother, a role at which she excelled, bringing immeasurable benefit to the family.

Gil and Sharon first met in the OHSU parking lot. When Gil asked her out, she declined, explaining that she was traveling to Eugene to visit her sister. To prove it, she even showed him her suitcase, though he suspected she was merely turning him down. It took some time before he mustered the courage to ask again, but eventually, he did, and they were married on January 3, 1970. They honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas, igniting a lifelong passion for travel. Together, they explored the world, from New Zealand to East Asia to Scandinavia, and everywhere in between. They were once featured in a New Zealand newspaper for spending an afternoon shearing sheep. As a family, they took Matt and Carmen on trips to Cancun and Chichen Itza to see the Mayan ruins, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. However, some of the most cherished moments were spent closer to home, particularly on the Oregon coast, where strong family bonds and unconditional love did not require long distances.

Gil and Sharon came from completely di􀆯erent backgrounds. Gil spent his early childhood in Manhattan, Kansas, living in a train boxcar with his sister and parents before upgrading to a one-bedroom home without running water. In contrast, Sharon grew up in a more privileged family in Victoria, British Columbia. Her mother was the first May Queen of Victoria, and her father served the Crown as Lieutenant Governor while co-owning and operating Lemon-Gonnason Company Ltd., one of Victoria’s first lumber mills.

Throughout their lives, they provided unconditional love and total support to their children. Sharon was selfless in her devotion, always putting her family’s needs before her own. She would take the leftovers of the leftovers, never hesitating to sacrifice for the sake of those she loved. Gil, in turn, instilled discipline and perspective. He discouraged waste of all kinds and always reminded his children how privileged Americans were compared to the rest of the world. Their trips through the villages outside Chichen Itza and their tours through Papua New Guinea were meant to expose Matt and Carmen to experiences that Gil himself had known firsthand but that they, because of their country and his hard work, never had to. He firmly believed that being an American was a blessing, one that should never be taken for granted.

For Matt, his father shaped his deep love for the United States through history and example. He saw in him a living testament to the idea that anyone who believes in this country and seizes the opportunities it others can be successful, regardless of race or background. For Carmen, her dad was her hero someone who accomplished every goal he set for himself, even when others told him he couldn’t. When he was five, he decided he wanted to be a doctor, only to be told by various teachers that Mexican kids couldn’t become doctors. He went on to not only become a Board-Certified physician but also to teach medical students at OHSU.

Gil was both a sailor and a pilot. The family owned the Paloma, a 25-foot sailboat, for many years, often sailing the Willamette and Columbia Rivers for unforgettable weekend adventures. Later, his passion for flying took hold. He earned his private pilot’s license in his late forties and purchased Tango, a Piper Cherokee 180, which he loved almost as much as his family. He found community at Twin Oaks Air Park and took every opportunity to fly—sometimes soaring over the house to wave his wings at his family, sometimes flying to the coast just for a cup of co􀆯ee. He and Sharon even flew to Manhattan, Kansas, multiple times to visit his parents. Other than the moment his voice cracked while delivering his father’s eulogy, that was the only other time Matt ever saw his dad on the brink of tears was in 2018 when he told him he had been medically grounded from flying.

Sharon’s main passion was supporting her family, but she also stayed active with friends and various pursuits. She swam laps for many years in the early mornings at the Tigard pool and participated in an exercise class with a close-knit group of friends for over 20 years. They would often meet after class at Davidsons in Tigard to share a cinnamon roll. She also served on the board of the Portland Chamber Orchestra and was actively involved as a volunteer while her children were in school, serving as Room Mom and chaperoning field trips. Matt and Carmen are eternally grateful for the love and support she provided throughout their lives.

Family outings were a staple of their childhood. Weekend picnics at local parks were a frequent tradition, with Sharon packing plenty of food—wine included for her and Gil—as they all enjoyed being out together. She often took extra time to braid Carmen’s hair in a style Gil especially loved, always telling her how beautiful she looked. One winter morning, however, Carmen rode a tricycle straight into the swimming pool, gripping the handlebars all the way to the bottom. Without hesitation, Gil jumped in, fully clothed, to rescue her, and reassured her that she was still beautiful, even as she dripped and cried that she was not.

Gil and Sharon shared a love of good food and wine. Gil was an adventurous eater, once consuming fish eyes, and the entire family even tried crocodile together. Sharon adored lamb and had an unmatched love for chocolate. Once, during a birthday party, she became so entranced by her chocolate cake that she accidentally drooled on it while cutting slices for her guests. Family dinners often featured pizza and Chinese food, and mealtimes were always when real communication occurred.

Music played an important role in their lives. They were regular attendees of the Portland Symphony and active supporters of the Chamber Orchestra. Sharon adored Bing Crosby above all others, while Gil had a deep appreciation for classical composers. At home, the air was filled with symphonies and concertos, while the family car rides featured Elvis, The Beatles, and Trini Lopez. Despite their differences in taste, one thing they always agreed on was that Matt and Carmen’s music was terrible.

A life shared through hardships and joy, in youth and old age—Gilbert and Sharon were partners in love and parents devoted to building a wonderful family. Gilbert passed away on January 19, 2025; Sharon followed him four days later, on January 23, 2025.

Rest in peace, Mom and Dad. Thank you for the love you gave, the support you provided, and the remarkable lives you lived.

The Cordova Family will be memorializing Gilbert & Sharon at Three o'clock in the afternoon, on April 12, 2025. The Memorial Service will be at Young's Funeral Home in the Fireside Lodge Chapel.