Sandra Roberta Bowden

Born in Denver, Colorado to Clifford and Billie Green, Sandy shared extended family interactions with aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her early bond with her older sister LaVonne continued throughout her life. In many aspects, they were like twins who complemented each other like yin and yang.

In her first years at West High, she met her future husband Dave. They were married 3 years later in 1960. Since Dave was a student, and later on became a faculty member at CSU, Fort Collins became their lifelong home. Their marriage extended over 62 years and included children Brian, Gerald, and Julie. There was always a dog or two and maybe a cat or two in the house. Early family years included many camping trips throughout Colorado and the Yellowstone area.

Sandy was a loving, caring, and giving mother who always placed her needs last. Over her lifetime, she maintained a firm belief in Jesus Christ. For many years the family was very active in the First Christian Church. Then, as a semi-empty-nester, she sought out a meaningful activity outside the family.

She began as a VISTA volunteer. First conducting a study that showed that the community needed a centralized agency that could collect and distribute food for local human service organizations. Through her efforts, the Larimer County Food Distribution Center was formed in 1984 with Sandy as the Director. What she accomplished in her 10 years at the food distribution center is astounding. She started with a phone on a desk and $100 dollars in the bank. A Coloradoan article June 8, 1994 outlines the extent of her efforts, "a debt-free 28,800 square-foot building, trucks, forklifts, a walk-in freezer, and a computer. Six employees are helped by more than 200 volunteers in meeting the food needs of a growing community."

Throughout her life, she enjoyed a variety of crafting activities. After retiring in 1994, she devoted time to embossing and rubber stamping cards, beading, and diamond painting. The Red Hat Society became another engaging activity for both her and LaVonne. They were active members of a Denver club that still meets today. During that time period she also found a new interest. She enjoyed taking cruises in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Her later life was hampered by several illnesses: diabetes, kidney cancer, and Parkinson's. She was an active part of the Fort Collins Parkinson's group for several years. Throughout, she maintained her cheerful, loving, kind spirit, always starting the day with a smile. She had a funny side too, being able to inject a timely humorous comment into an unlikely situation.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held at Allnutt Funeral Service on Drake Road at 10:00 AM on October 2nd.