Sandra Ruth Cotter was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on April 2, 1943, and left this life in Palmer, Alaska, on May 11, with her children and her sisters by her side.
She had fought a heroic battle against lung cancer, her strength of spirit and gratitude making her a sweetheart to all the medical personnel. They were always happy to see her walk in that door.
Sandy led an adventurous life, growing up with her sister Christine, the daughters of Patricia Jane (Hays) Cotter and, U,S. Army Lt. Colonel Walter A. Cotter, 101st Airborne, a Battle of The Bulge Veteran.
The family moved wherever the Army sent them, finally settling in Seattle.
In 1959, Sandy moved to Pelican when her stepfather William Carr took a job with Pelican Cold Storage. There began her love of Alaska; life’s events led her back to Alaska. She had itchy feet, however, and was forever moving between Juneau, Sitka and Palmer.
She loved to garden, to hike, to camp and hunt, and was always spiritually connected to nature and the outdoors.
What many of her friends might not know about was Sandy’s love of music and her award-winning dancing with Arthur Murray Studios. She was also a very talented artist.
Those who were fortunate to know Sandy, knew that her deep affections were reserved for those she held dear, her family said, “and if you were one of those, you were fortunate indeed. She was a steadfast friend, mother and sister.
“We will miss her.”
True to her nature, Sandy wanted to go on one more adventure. By her request the family and any of those who wish to make the journey will meet at 9 a.m. July 31 at the trailhead to hike Mt. Verstovia, to set her free to ride the winds of Southeast Alaska. Her mother Patricia Carr will be traveling with her.
The family also invites friends to a small gathering at the Halibut Point Recreation Area at 1 p.m. August 1.
Sandra is survived by her daughters, Carey Dickenson Smith and Danyelle Brooks Williams, both of Palmer; her son David Dickenson of Tennessee; her adopted daughter Dana Vargo of Palmer; and her sisters, Christine Grant Swanson of Sitka, and Cindy Carr Moyer of Petersburg.
Her nieces and nephews, Gordon, Bill and Ange Grant of Sitka, and Brannon and Cub Finney of Petersburg; grandchildren Rachel, Hilary and Hunter Thomas, and Skai and Shey Williams; cousins, the Hays Brothers (Larry, Guy and David) of Juneau; and numerous family members in the Port Gamble-Poulsbo area of Washington, also survive.
She was proceeded in death by her grandson Trey VanEpps, her father Walter H. Cotter; and her mother and stepfather, Patricia and William Carr.
