Sandra Lynne Smith

Published 12:37 am Saturday, June 28, 2014

March 12, 1946 – May 26, 2014Sandy Smith, 68, passed away at an Ontario, Oregon care facility on Memorial Day, 2014. Sandy was surrounded by the love of her children and grandchildren.Sandy was born in Ontario, Oregon to Fred and Alaene (Vinson) Jones. Fred and Alaene divorced, and Alaene married LeRoy C. ‘Smitty’ Smith, and Sandy was blessed to be loved dearly by Smitty and her Daddy, Fred. Sandy grew up in Bend where she attended school graduating from Bend High School in 1964. She married Joe Whittenburg in 1964, and they had two daughters, Beth and Cathy. After divorcing in 1977, Sandy and the girls relocated from Vale to Eugene, Oregon. She had a strong work ethic and always worked at least two jobs to raise her girls. She lived in Bend and the surrounding area for the last twenty years.Sandy’s enthusiasm for life will be remembered by many friends and family. She loved to cook and it didn’t matter if she was cooking for one person or twenty, she would delight with her food and could make amazing meals out of leftovers. Bringing people together and making them a part of her family, she made sure that everybody was fed and nobody was lonely, especially during the holidays. Camping, fishing, hiking and scenic drives made her happy as well as gardening, music, dancing and the companionship of her beloved dogs. Sandy was known as Grandma Sweetie after her first grandchild, Coy, gave her that name because it was her dog’s name, too. In the last ten years she traveled cross country with a friend exploring many parts of the United States and Mexico.Sandy was preceded in death by her Mother, Father and her Stepfather. She was a loving Mother and is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Beth and Scott Skinner of Ontario and Kevin and Cathy Leidall of Eugene. She was a proud grandmother to Coy Rivers, Kalen Rivers, Madisyn Leidall and Lindsay Skinner. Sandy has two surviving brothers, Mike Jones and Richard Smith.Sandy’s family will be gathering for a memorial at a later date to celebrate her life. The family can be reached for condolences at baskinner@outlook.com.