SANDRA FARRIS CLIFF FITZGERALD

Sandra Farris Cliff Fitzgerald, loving wife, sister, daughter, auntie, and friend, passed into the arms of her heavenly father on Monday, August 21, 2017. Sandra passed away peacefully at her home after a courageous 20 month battle with cancer. Sandra was born on December 8, 1964, in Fresno, CA, and was adopted by parents, Bruce Farris, longtime Fresno Bee sportswriter, and his wife Barbara, as well as her older siblings, Greg and Nancy. Her early social life revolved around her friends and family that attended First Baptist Church in Fresno, as well as fun filled summers at Camp Sugar Pine near Fish Camp. She grew up surrounded by music and loved to sing and play the piano. She attended Manchester Elementary School, Fort Miller Jr. High School, Clovis High School, and eventually graduated in 1983 from Immanuel High School in Reedley, CA. It was at Immanuel that she found her lifelong passion for physical fitness and cheerleading. Sandra eventually graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education and an Master of Arts degree in kinesiology. Sandra began a career in education that lasted over 20 years that took her to Buchanan High School, Bullard High School, and Edison Computech. Sandra was a passionate fitness instructor and much beloved cheerleading coach where she mentored numerous young men and women to "reach for more." She also served as an advisor for the Hoover High and Sanger High squads. In addition, she worked at numerous fitness related jobs including adjunct faculty at Fresno State, Clovis Community College, Clovis Adult School and GB3 fitness classes. It was not uncommon for her to work all five jobs in addition to her full-time job at Computech, even while undergoing chemotherapy. Sandra had a brief radio career after winning a contest on Kiss Country to help D.J. the morning show. She was a natural, and more importantly, it lead to her eventual engagement with future husband and her co-host, Gnarley Charley. After a long engagement they finally married in the hospital four weeks before she passed. Sandra shared an uncommon love of life. She was always the last to leave a party or social event. She inspired students, friends, and family alike, as evidenced by the tremendous support she received while she was sick. Her family is extremely grateful to all those friends and neighbors that made Sandra's final 20 months a better world for her to live in. She was preceded in death by her mother Barbara; and her father Bruce. Sandra is survived by her husband, Gnarley Charley Fitzgerald; her sister, Nancy Holly and her husband James; her brother, Greg Farris and his wife Wendy; nine nieces and nephews; as well as faithful companions, Harper, and Bo Derrick Kitty Carr. A Celebration of Life will be held at Northpark Community Church, 2297 E. Shepherd Ave., Fresno, CA 93720, on Thursday, August 31, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. Remembrances may be sent to gofundme account for Sandi Cliff's medical expenses, http://gf.me/u/cdvnm5 ; or the donor's favorite charity.