Obituary of Sandra Olive Witthoft

Sandra Olive Price Witthoft left this earthly adventure Saturday morning, January 2, 2021. Shortly afterward Sandie’s family of her husband, three sons, and their families headed to her favorite spot on Mt. Lemmon to celebrate her life—releasing balloons and toasting her with hot chocolate.

Sandie traveled around the world with friends and family to experience and understand what else was out there. Her sense of discovery likely started with a childhood spent living with her parents, brother, and extended family between two states—Wisconsin and Arizona. Ultimately she found her favorite home in Tucson.

Sandie’s accomplishments are abundant and diverse, like her friends and passions. Her qualities of curiosity and service show in the legacy of her work and the networks of people she connected through her unique combination of talents: helping kids and adults as an educator, designing homes, and creating community through events and organizations. Her energy invited everyone to join the party, as she always found the fun and shared her excitement in living.

Sandie was intentional with her time from day one to day 27,939. As an optimist, Sandie was deliberate about the difference between creating a positive and avoiding a negative. She delighted in everything around her, measured equally by a lightning-quick laugh and a long pause for the mystery of mountains. She was a maker of almost anything and a lover of games, sports, and competition. She thrived with constraints and played every moment in life with the keenest eye for creating opportunities.

Sandie supported organizations that help people and create delight locally, including St. Luke’s Home; Peppi’s House at Tucson Medical Center; the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; and the University of Arizona College of Fine Arts. Just as Sandie sparkled for others, she found recent strength in the care offered by her community of physicians, friends, and family. Her wish for those seeking to celebrate with her now was to find a favorite spot and let a balloon go while smiling with her. Smiles forever!