Sandra "Sandy" Russell

Russell, Sandra "Sandy"
Sandra Gale Russell, 56, passed away on January 22, 2015 in Chandler, AZ. She fought a valiant fight against thyroid cancer for 26 years, always with a positive outlook. Sandy was an uplifting, loving, and adventurous spirit. She was married to her devoted, loving husband Tim Russell for six and a half years. She lived life to the fullest. Her personal passion was her family. She was a daughter, sister, wife, sister-in-law, mother, aunt, grandma, great aunt and a passionate friend. Sandy was their greatest cheerleader on a daily basis and for the special events in their lives. She began her career in the Air force on the flight line and fueled air craft. From there, she worked as a Pressman in Saint Louis for many years. She moved to Arizona and worked for Arizona Children's Organization traveling throughout Arizona assisting underprivileged women obtain needed medical care. She moved to Northern Arizona Council on Government Area Agency on Aging coordinating case workers and medical staff client loads. She assisted with many community efforts, such as establishing a community garden in Show Low, Arizona. While working full time, she was a Girl Scout leader and had many hobbies, including making beautiful quilts. She loved to read from an early age. She enjoyed Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew series and her love for reading continued throughout her life. She attended Chandler High School. While working full time, she earned her Bachelor's degree. She continued her education path and earned her Master's degree in Health Care Administration from Phoenix University. She shared her love of learning by teaching college courses at Northern Pioneer College. Another of her passions was traveling the world with family and friends. She visited Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, England, Scotland, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Russia, Finland and many others. They also traveled the US from Washington DC to Washington State, Alaska and Hawaii and many places in between. Sandy was preceded in death by her Father Bill McNatt, Sister Janet McNatt, and Granddaughter Natalie Birch. She is survived by her Husband Tim Russell, Daughter Serena Birch (Jeremy), Grandson Caden Birch, Granddaughter Madison Birch, Mother Nora McNatt, Brothers Bill McNatt (Marla), Kenny McNatt (Cherie), Sisters (Donna Merry (Charles), Cherri Hudson (Brad), Sisters in Law Jill Russell and Tracy (John) Lethcoe, Father in Law Jack Russell, Mother in Law Mary Lou Russell, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Thyroid Association 703-998-8890. Memorial Service on Sunday, January 25 at 2 p.m at Valley of the Sun Mortuary 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Chandler, AZ 85248 (480-895-9232). Family request, you wear purple in honor of Sandy.