Obituary of Sandra Sturgeon

Sandra Sturgeon, beloved mom, gramz, and sister, passed peacefully surrounded by family on January 9, 2024, in the enchanted land of New Mexico.  Sandra Sturgeon (Ross) came into this world in Ashland Wisconsin to parents Eldred and Hazel Ross on June 26, 1941, and was soon joined by brother Tom. The family moved to Superior Wisconsin where her spirit of adventure soon showed by her exploits on the long-ski jump, speed-skating, and love of the French horn. After high school she obtained a degree in nursing in Minnesota. She then moved onto a spiritual adventure by becoming a catholic nun for a time, beliefs which she held for a lifetime although she did have an open mind to all spiritualism, particularly Buddhism. After the convent she returned to nursing, she particularly loved her time in the emergency room. She met Frank Sturgeon and quickly became a wife and mother. Sandy and Frank had four children: Lisa, Aaron, Benjamin, and Spike. Frank and Sandy moved to the west to find adventure in skiing, hiking, climbing, and camping. They eventually settled down in the majestic mountains of the Bitterroot valley of Montana. Sandy and Frank parted ways in 1982. It was after that she found love and partnership with Deborah Case while skiing at Lost Trail Ski resort in Montana. Sandy and Deb were eventually married when gay marriage was legal. They spent their time biking, hiking, skiing, golfing, rollerblading, painting, and traveling. They settled down in their ideal town of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Sandy was “gramz” to Lauren, Jonathan, Madeleine, Cassandra, Charley, and Jaia. Deb passed in 2015.

To know Sandy was to be overcome with her infectious sense of adventure and fun. Her twinkling blue eyes reflected the beautiful soul she had. She was adored by all that she met. Sandy loved many people, places, and things. Things in her top ten included: Mother Theresa, The Tao, Tina Turner, The Queen, Oprah, Santa Fe sunsets, travel, Canyon Road, fresh powder in the mountains, dressing up in costumes for no reason, and DOGS. To be one of Sandy’s dogs was to win the lottery. Sandy was a profound artist, and her beautiful watercolors still grace the walls of her children, grandchildren, and friends. As we say so long for now to our beloved Sandy, we will find solace in all the wonderful, crazy, fun memories we shared with her in this life.