Sandra Lee Watts

Sandra Lee Watts 1944-2024 – Our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt and friend passed away on March 13, 2024 in Taylorsville, Utah, after years of heartache and longing to be reunited with her best friend and husband, S. Glen Watts. Undoubtedly, he had the biggest bear hug waiting for her.

Sandy was born on June 2, 1944 to Marie Elizabeth Davis and Vernon Freas Ash in Pensacola, Florida.  She grew up in Shavertown, Pennsylvania and met Glen after converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  At the age of 18, she moved to Utah and attended Utah State University while waiting for Glen to return from his Cumorah LDS mission.  They married on November 2, 1966 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and together they raised five daughters and three sons.  They have since been blessed with 24 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, with two more on the way.

For 25 years, Sandy taught English and Drama in the original Jordan School District.  She received a Masters Degree in education and, later, went on to receive her CNA and Medical Assistant certifications.  She loved volunteer work and served in many capacities.  Most notedly, she gave many years to Alta View Hospital, the LDS Jordan River Utah Temple, the LDS Draper Utah Temple, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and the Boy Scouts of America where she received the honored Silver Beaver Award. Sandy also served as a missionary in the LDS Independence Missouri Mission just after being widowed.  An experience she truly loved.

               Sandy loved the sun and being outdoors.  Lake Powell with family and friends was her second home.  Finding her on a raft soaking it all in was a recurrent scene.  Family gatherings, travel, and a variety of hobbies throughout the years brought her joy.  She will be remembered for her love of the Gospel, clothes with bling, her animation and laugh, her reverence and admiration for the Native American culture, sunflowers, turquoise, poppy seed cakes, her sporty Mustang, Hershey Kisses, Diet Coke and a smile that you could not help but return.   To all of us, she leaves her love… Then, Now and Forever.

               Sandy is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Richard Ash, and her husband, S. Glen Watts.  She is survived by her brother, David Ash, and her children:  Wendy Butters (Erik), Tammy McCleary (Layne), Steve Watts, Scott Watts (Destini), Cherish Moser (Dustin), Kimberlee McElreath (Marc), Courtnie Watts and Dustin Watts.  She is grandma and great grandma to Johvan, Olli, June, Elysha, Adeline, Thatcher, Raeben, Emery, Brinley, Aubrey, Greta, Cameron, Kael, Taylor, Spencer, Hayden, Isaiah, Layla, Kaiya, Brendon, Maverick, Sloane, Vanessa, Allie, Jayden, Kara, Jaycee, Toccara, Grace, Serenity and Quorra.

Our family would like to offer our sincerest thanks and appreciation to the Legacy House of Taylorsville.  The staff genuinely loved our mom and cared for her with dignity and respect.  Most especially, we thank Inspiration Hospice and her nurse, Wendy, for making her end of life a beautiful experience for us all.

               A viewing will be held at the Greenwood LDS Ward on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm located at 240 East Greenwood Circle, Midvale, Utah 84047.  Services will be held at the same location on March 20, 2024 at 11:00am with a viewing one hour prior.  Internment will be at the Memorial Mountain View Cemetery.