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Orange Lutheran mourns passing of beloved ex-athletic director Nancy Paul

April 25, 2026

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A dedicated worker with a passion for Orange Lutheran High. A loyal friend who came through in times of need. A lasting symbol of strong and faith-filled leadership.

Those are a few of the ways Orange Lutheran is remembering former athletic director, teacher and coach Nancy Paul, who died Wednesday after a long illness, her sister Sue Paulsen confirmed.

Paul, 86, had been in hospice care in Orange, Paulsen said.

“She loved Orange Lutheran,” Paulsen said of her sister, who worked at the school for 43 years. “Education was vitally important to her.”

Paul joined newly-opened Orange Lutheran in 1975 with a mission to help students experience a well-balanced Christian education, Paulsen said.

Affectionately known as “Miss Paul”, she held various roles over the years. From teaching English, math and physical education, serving as athletic director and coaching tennis, volleyball, softball and basketball, Paul helped many students.

She served as an outstanding statistician for numerous football and basketball games. She often opened the games with a prayer.

Paul’s time at Orange Lutheran was so impactful, the No. 43 is retired at the school as a tribute to her years at the school. The main basketball court is named after her.

In 2011, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the CIF Southern Section.

Paul was a two-time CIF athletic director of the year.

“Nancy was a pioneering force in athletics,” Orange Lutheran stated in a press release. “Miss Paul shaped the culture and spirit of Orange Lutheran with her unwavering faith, servant heart and deep love for education.”

Orange Lutheran softball coach Steve Miklos said Paul delivered the opening prayer for his program’s banquet for many years.

“She was an institution,” Miklos said. “She had such a great memory that she would remember kids from whatever class. She knew what class they were from and what they did. Phenomenal.”

Paul also worked with compassion.

Campus pastor Tim Detviler recalled how Paul drove his twin sons to Orange Lutheran while he fought cancer in 2012.

“That’s love. That’s dedication. That’s faithfulness,” Detviler said. “My family and many other families of her former students and colleagues called her aunt Nancy. She was family to everyone.”

“An incredible woman,” he added.

A graduate of Orange and Stanford, Paul was the oldest of four siblings.

She is survived by her sister Sue, brothers-in-laws Jack and Steve, sister-in-law Shannon and seven nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her brother Don and sister Carolyn.

A memorial service for Paul is scheduled for May 16 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange at 10 a.m.

Orange County Register

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Orange Lutheran mourns passing of beloved ex-athletic director Nancy Paul

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