Natasha Noland Remembered as Great Friend, Talented Artist

Hundreds of people came to Twin Lakes Church in Aptos on Saturday morning where friends and family said farewell and helped celebrate the life of 25-year-old Natasha Noland,

“Everybody here knows what she did to our hearts,” said her uncle, Jeff Rodgers. “And what she did to me in her photography, her loving in animals, and in her dance. That techno stuff, you know, the stuff you can’t really get no rhythm to [as he gave a few dance moves]. But she had a great, great heart.”

Pastor Gary Williams welcomed the guests and said a few words about Noland’s life before he introduced a slide show put together by close friends and family members. The visual memories of her life were displayed on a big screen accompanied by one of Noland’s favorite genre of music, techno.

Noland was the daughter of popular Santa Cruz Pacific Wave Surf Shop owners Todd and Sue Noland.

Singer Lisa Leuschner Andersen, a former American Idol contestant, accompanied by pianist Christian Pursell, sang I Can Only Imagine and Wind Beneath My Wings as a tribute to more of the music that Noland enjoyed.

Cliff Sammet was one of Noland’s closest friends and talked about the time they first met five years ago when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. When he needed someone during a critical time of his life, Noland, who worked as a buyer at Pacific Wave Surf Shop, came to Sammet’s side with no hesitation.

“The time she spent with me, talking with me, and filling my heart with light and hope was a gift that goes beyond anything I can put into words. I feel so blessed to have had your daughter, your sister, and your friend in my life. Natasha’s truly a timeless soul who has made such a huge impact in the lives of so many.”

Sammet also reminisced about the happy moments and talked about some of the things he remembers most about her.

“In Little League I can still remember hearing her cheer for me in the stands like it was yesterday,” said Sammet. “Talent shows and school assemblies were always something to look forward to, we knew that the Noland sisters were about to lay down some serious moves.”

“If you had a chance to meet her it would not take much time to feel her warmth, compassion and acceptance,” said Sammet.

”We all know she was passionate about life and how she felt about thinking positive and working towards your dreams. If she were here, she would say ‘I know you will miss me, keep me in your heart. But I want you to move on to live, to love, to hug, to laugh, and to dance.’”  

The operator of the party bus she was traveling in had been cited before for violations and the the girl's death has sparked debate about regulations related to such forms of transporting celebrants. Assemblyman Jerry Hill has authored a bill, AB45, that would require party bus operators and owners to verify the drinking age of those on board and keep minors in a separate compartment away from alcohol.

Noland's obituary in the Santa Cruz Sentinel said she attended Westlake Elementary School, Mission Hill Junior High, graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 2005 and was planning on attending San Jose State University in the fall to earn a degree in communications.

The girl's parents have two other children, Santa Cruz residents Shauna and Nick Noland, according to the obituary.

"We would also like to thank all of our family friends and the Santa Cruz community for all their love and support during this difficult time," the parents wrote in the funeral notice.