Yvonne Noland Saddler (Nielsen)
Yvonne Noland Saddler (Nielsen) (79), passed away on October 10, 2015 in Houston, Texas. She was born on June 18, 1936, in Tifton, Georgia to Roy and Katie Gibbs Noland. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, husband, Dr. Daniel L. Saddler, and second husband Dr. Arnold Nielsen, both formerly from Cullowhee, North Carolina.
Yvonne is survived by: her daughter, Toni Saddler-French; son Larry Saddler; grandchildren, Daniel French, Brennan Saddler, and Justin Saddler, and numerous extended family members and friends.
She earned degrees from the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia. Yvonne had a distinguished 25-year career as a professor of Speech Pathology at Western Carolina University (WCU) in Cullowhee, North Carolina and earned Professor Emeritus status in 2001. During her tenure, she served as an academic and personal adviser, instructor, and clinical supervisor. She was adviser to WCU’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, coordinator for recruitment and clinical internships across North Carolina and other states, and a member of the N.C. Speech Hearing and Language Association. She had a passion for hummingbirds and gardening and loved to dance.
A memorial will be held in late November, in Cullowhee, North Carolina, date, time, and specific location to be determined.
In lieu of flowers those wishing to make a memorial donation in Yvonne’s name may do so to the Yvonne Saddler Nielsen Scholarship fund at Western Carolina University hyperlink to fund . The street address is: The Western Carolina University Foundation, c/o University Advancement, Western Carolina University, 401 H.F. Robinson Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Love this wonderful lady. She was always like a big sister. Yvonne was always there to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, and give helpful advice. She loved life to the fullest and gave her all to everything she did. She wrote a heartfelt poem for both Aunt Maud and Aunt Monk when they passed. Yvonne was talented in so many ways and one of the smartest, caring sister anyone could have. I can see her dancing in heaven and loving everyone.
I have just learned of Mrs. Saddler’ death. She was a special friend and teacher to me at WCU. I have many happy memories of her. We all had so much fun there! I will never forget this wonderful lady.
I have just learned of Mrs. Saddler’s passing. I was one of her students at WCU. She was like a mother to all of us. I have very special and fond memories of her. She was always so thoughtful and put others before herself. For years, she always remembered my birthday and later my daughter’s birthday and would send cards. I feel so blessed to have known her. She will always hold a special place in my heart.
Kim Palmer
I, too, just discovered that Yvonne is now with the Lord. I grew up in an area of Miami, Florida on the edge of poverty and crime so when I graduated from High School, I couldn’t wait to go to WCU. It took me 5 years to make it through my undergraduate program. Because of Yvonne, 13 years later I returned to WCU and a year and a half later graduated with my masters degree. Both times I was blessed to have Yvonne as my academic advisor. I never could have made it without her. She believed in me and taught me so much about so many things. I hope that I am half the mentor that she was to me to the students I teach and those with whom I work. Her bright, loving spirit lives on in all who were blessed enough to meet her.
Phyllis, were you a Sigma Kappa at WCU