Sandra Lee Sumner, 78, from Florissant, Co. found her final resting place Monday, March 11th after suffering complications from a seizure March 2nd. Alongside her was her beloved daughter Laura Chamberlin from Grass Valley, California. Sandra Lee, known as Sandi, was born February 20th, 1941 at Alameda County Hospital across the bay from San Francisco in the city of Alameda. She was an adoptee at 3-months old and was raised by Mrs. Irene Jones of Pleasanton, CA. and Ted Jones of Livermore, California.
High spirited Sandi graduated from Livermore High School in 1959 and proceeded to attend San Jose State University. Sandi and Henry Cuenca married in 1963 with the joy of bringing three children into the world, Nathan, Laura and Alan. A mother of three, Sandi radiated endless amounts of joy, humor and unconditional love to all who knew her.
Wherever Sandi landed she always committed herself to community, entrepreneurship and an endless life of radiance. In 1994 she moved to Alaska, the final frontier, where she met her husband Jim Sumner of Lake George, Colorado. In 2006. Sandi and Jim moved to his home town, Lake George.
It was in Alaska where Sandi refound her love of flying, thus inspiring her to write her first of several books, Women Pilots of Alaska. Without hesitation, she then published Alaska Women’s Journey, a collection of women’s experiences climbing North Americas tallest mountain, Denali. Both publications prepared her for her greatest accomplishment, Double-Sided Love~Adoption and Reunion. She also wrote a follow up book the The Women Pilots of Alaska in a book called Wheels Up. Lastly and most recently her final piece titled Colorado Animals and Their Favorite Vet, a first hand experience of Woodland Park’s favorite veterinarian Dr. David Volz. Sandi’s love and generosity of writing inspired her to teach others locally about the thrills of writing and publishing.
Sandi is survived by her husband Jim Sumner, his children Kevin Sumner, Levi Sumner, Shelley Millette and Krista Sutherland. Her own children, Nathan Cuenca, Laura Chamberlin, Alan Cuenca and grandchildren Olivia and Layne Chamberlin. Sandi’s life long quest to find her biological mother, Juanita Shuffler, came too late but was able to reunite with her biological family. The Shuffler family now mostly reside in San Diego, California.
A celebration of life will be held at The Grange in Florissant, Colorado Sunday March 31st 1pm-4pm, hosted by Jim Sumner. Another celebration will be held in Anchorage, Alaska in addition to an online celebration hosted by Laura, Nathan and Alan, info to follow.
Donations in Sandi’s honor can be made to:
Animal Clinic of Woodland Park
P.O. Box 6947
Woodland Park, CO 80866
EMAIL: theanimalclinicofwp@gmail.com
or call: 719-687-9406
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