Theresa Lynn Fancher-Newton

In Loving Memory Theresa Lynn Fancher-Newton, age 30, found her way home September 23, 2010 due to complications following eye surgery in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born in Omak, Washington on December 19, 1979 to Pamela J (Rickel) Fancher and Scott Fancher. Theresa came into this world running. At an early age she obliterated the stigmatism of her visual impairment and became a model of how one should live their life. At age 2, Theresa had mastered the bunny hill at Sitzmark in Tonasket, WA; by her early teens she was flying off the biggest jumps at the Loup Loup Ski Hill in Twisp, WA. On top of earning straight A's at Omak High School, cheerleading, and showing horses, Theresa joined Winter Disabled Ski Team at age 15. Skiing took Theresa around the world. When she was a Senior in High School her Win of 2 golds, a silver and bronze at the World Cup qualified her for the US Disabled Ski Team and a spot on the 1998 US Para-Olympic Team, where she brought home a bronze medal in slalom. She competed internationally for 5 years and was the top Female Blind skier in the US and second in the world in her division. Theresa was a proud graduate of Omak High School, class of 1998. Following High School, Theresa moved to Winter Park, CO to continue her passion for skiing. She worked at the Coffee and Tea Market at Winter Park for a few years. After Winter Park, Theresa moved to the Denver area and attended massage therapy school. Graduating at the top of her class, Theresa started Integrated Body Works, her successful massage therapy practice, that she ran until the day of her passing. In July of 2004, Theresa married her soul mate and the love of her life, William Newton. Theresa and William made their home in Lakewood, CO. They invited many friends into their lives that they considered family. Theresa and William enjoyed their life together and made a great team, William was often part of her support crew when she traveled with the massage team for the Ride the Rockies cycle tours. They worked together taking care of Disabled adults in their home. They enjoyed riding their horses, and their canine friends were an important part of their life. Theresa leaves behind her husband of 6 years, William Newton; her mother, Pam Fancher; her father and step-mother, Scott Fancher and Michele Santanocito, her Sister and her husband, Corrinn and Cory Fletcher; her nephews and niece, Canyon, Nichol and Tison Fletcher; Step-Siblings Cari Hall and Jason Sprinkle, nieces and nephews Beau McManus, Madelyn Sprinkle and Noah Sprinkle; her grandparents JoAnn and Gene Michels, I.V. Joe and Roberta Rickel, Jick and Helen Fancher; her aunts and uncles, Tenise and Mike Kessler, Ken Rickel, Don and Dianne Fancher, Nancy and Pat Connely; her cousins, Erin Nielsen, Shelby Kessler, Jordan and Isaiah Rickel, and J.C. and Caitlin Connely; and her loving guide dog companion who never left her side, Jada. Theresa was preceded in death by her great grandparents, her good friend Mike Bloss, her first guide dog Hooper, and her very special horse Flame. Theresa was the light in every person's life that she touched. Memorial contributions can be made in Theresa's name to: Guide Dogs for the Blind PO Box 151200 San Rafael, CA 94915 National Sports Center for the Disabled 1801 Mile High Stadium Circle, Suite 1500 Denver, CO 80204 www.nscd.org Please share your memories of Theresa and condolences with her family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" button.