Obituary of Joan Sandra Rush

Joan Sandra Rush was reunited with her husband Ernest E. Rush and parents John Sydney Pearson & Frances Lillian Whyles on the morning of November 21, 2020. Sandra is survived by her two children Edward E. Rush and Bonney K. Rush Haugen (husband Tim and daughter Lydian). Sandra was also mother to Ernest’s children Robert E. Rush and Karen J. Legg and enjoyed being a loving grandmother and great grandmother to their families.

Sandra was born in Waterbury, CT January 4, 1941 and moved with her family to Tucson AZ as a child. She graduated from Coolidge HS in 1958 then went on to complete her BS and then MA in elementary education from Northern Arizona University. She married Ernest in Sedona May 28, 1966 and they shared 28 years of teaching in Tuba City, Ganado, Gila Bend and Bagdad. In addition to teaching and raising a family she traveled with Ernest visiting all 50 states, all provinces and territories of Canada, as well as parts of Mexico and Europe. In their retirement they cruised Panama and the Caribbean as well as explored trails across the Southwest and visited family and friends by Jeep and motorhome.

As a daughter of a Mason, Sandra spent her youth and adulthood in loving committed service to the masonic family as a Rainbow Girl, Job’s Daughter, and Easter Star sister. As a member of the Order of Eastern Star she served in Bagdad Chapter No. 63, Mariposa Chapter No. 31 and Saguaro Chapter No. 48. Her commitment and attention to detail earned her the appointment of District Instructor then soon after she was honored and privileged to serve as Grand Chaplain for the Arizona Grand Chapter under Maggie McClure WGM & David Hattrick WGP and most recently served as a Campfire Friend to Marianne Shenefelt MWGM until illness and the pandemic prevented her from traveling.

Sandra was loved, respected and admired by those who knew her. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.