Sandra Lyn Daybell Porter passed away peacefully Sunday, March 15, 2026 in her home in Snowflake Arizona surrounded by many family members. She was 88 years old.
Born November 14, 1937 in Mesa, Arizona to Russell and Merle Daybell, Sandra was their 2nd child, and only daughter, having an older brother, Jack and younger brother Ron. Both brothers were very loved by her throughout her life. She was blessed to grow up in Mesa when it was a small town where children could run and play through the neighborhoods. There were many cousins and friends to play with and they became lifelong friends.
Sandra married Doug Hancock in 1957 and had four children, Kristy, Elizabeth, Doug, and David. She loved being a mother and loved staying home to raise her children. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became very important to Sandra while her children were young. She was able to share her testimony of Jesus Christ with them as they grew.
It was while her children were teens that her first marriage ended. She was able to go to work in the Mesa school district and work with young mothers. Later she worked in the office of two different electronics companies. She loved to read, decorate, travel, and play tennis, but mostly she loved her family.
Joseph Dean Porter entered Sandra's life when she was 50 years old. They met at church and were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 4, 1988. Over the next 37 years they moved from Mesa, to Laveen, to Snowflake Arizona. Dean had 5 children, Doug, Lori, Michelle, Lloyd and Marlin who Sandra loved completely.
Together, Dean and Sandra served in the church, opened and ran several businesses, volunteered in the community, and served a mission in Florida. They loved to travel and have been all over the world. Mexico was always a favorite place to visit and they could often be found at their house in San Carlos Mexico.
Sandra served in many callings in the church over the years, often serving in the Relief Society and in the Young Women's organization. She truly had a great ability to relate to the youth, and touched many young people's lives.
Sandra, together with her dear husband, Dean, loved their 9 children, 42 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 30, 2026 with a viewing at 9:00 AM and funeral following at 10:30 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 48 N Main St, Snowflake, AZ.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
84 E. 19th S., Snowflake, AZ 85937

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