Sandra Kaye Reed Griffiths, 52, passed away December 24th, 2014 at Alpine Manor in Twin Falls, Idaho of complications due to Multiple Sclerosis.
Sandra (Sandy) was born Jan. 26, 1962 in Boise, Idaho. Parents June and Glenn Reed took their new baby girl to live in Pocatello, Idaho until 1967, adding brother John to the family in 1964. Sandy brought a lot of joy to the neighborhood dressing up her favorite dog Spike in doll clothes and pushing him around the block in her doll stroller. Dogs seemed to be her favorite pet as she always had one as a pet throughout her life. If she wasn’t mothering the dog, she was taking care of her little brother John and starting in 1970 her sister Lori.
The family moved back to Eden, Idaho where Sandy attended Eden and Hazelton Elementary before graduating from Valley High School in 1980.
Sandy was involved in many activities growing up. Early on she was in a bowling league, rode motorcycles on the farm. In high school she participated in basketball and track, but her artistic flair was her true passion. She was a photographer for the school newspaper and yearbook and a whiz at Home Ec. She loved sewing so much that she left farm work behind to work at a fabric store in Twin Falls during high school.
After graduating high school she married Gerald Griffiths of Hazelton. Their son Mikel was born in 1982 and daughter Marisa followed in 1986. They lived in Hazelton for many years before divorcing in 2014.
Sandy’s talents and interests were many, including sewing, crafting, collecting antiques, cake decorating and card making. Every birthday and Christmas family members would look forward to a homemade cake, card and gift made especially for them. She had a creative streak that was endless. At any time she might be creating coats, prom dresses or running tights and dance recital costumes. If you wanted it made, she could probably figure out how to make it happen. She may have been most well known for her holiday ornaments and blankets. She would create all year long and sell out her stock every holiday season at the CSI craft show. Her blankets are treasured gifts.
Even though her hobbies were many, she was a full time mom and career woman as well. She ran her own daycare for a while so she could be home with her kids. Her kids were her life and she enjoyed nothing more than watching them excel in school, play sports, and grow into wonderful young adults. She was fortunate enough to be able to attend both kid’s marriages.
As the kids began to grow, she worked for Idaho First National Bank that became West One Bank and later US Bank in Hazelton as a teller then a manager for US Bank in Burley until health issues required her to retire from her career. As if she wasn’t busy enough, she also volunteered as a firefighter and was a member of the City Council in Hazelton. She also took pride in her many years of participating in Paint Magic projects around the valley.
She had many amazing friends who would meet her downtown for coffee most every morning. When she could no longer live at home due to health problems, her friends simply moved coffee hour to her new home at Alpine Manor.
Rozee, her faithful poodle companion of 10 years moved with her and helped brighten her day and was a great source of comfort.
It is never easy to say goodbye and she will be greatly missed by all but Sandy was ready to leave behind her physical pain and join her father and grandparents who proceeded her in death.
She is survived by her mother June Reed, Eden, brother John Reed (Dee Dee), Hazelton, sister Lori Davies (Duff), Boise, son Mikel Griffiths (Lisa), Montana, daughter Marisa Bourner (Justin), Boise, uncle Bill Reed, Twin Falls and his children Connie Jeter and Cathie Seeley, Oregon, aunt Deanna Matheney, Boise and her son Kenny Yarbrough, Jerome, nieces and nephews Brogen, Bryler and Brinley Reed and Casey and Bailey Davies.
The family would like to thank her many friends but especially her dear friends, John and Beth Bruns, Diane Hohnhorst, Lu Ann Gergen and Cori and John Struthers who were always by her side and helped her with her battle with MS. A special thanks goes out to the staff at Alpine Manor for helping her become a part of their family and making her life as comfortable as possible during her time with them.
Sandy requested to not have a service, so the family wishes to have a gathering January 10, 2015 at Rosenau Funeral Home 2826 Addison Ave. E. in Twin Falls from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm for friends and family that wish to come together to remember and share all their many memories of Sandy.
Donations can be made in Sandy’s name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society at P.O. Box 912 Twin Falls, ID 83303 or given to Rosenau Funeral Home.