Sandra Jean (Huggins) Thomas, 71

Sandra Jean (Huggins) Thomas, 71, passed away Jan. 27, 2014, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, from complications after surgery.  

She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend.

Sandra was born in Oakland, Calif., on July 27, 1942. She was the first born to her parents, Anna and Bert Huggins, who preceded her in death.

Shortly after her birth the family moved to the family homestead in Kalispell. After finishing her schooling there she attended Montana State College, now Montana State University, in Bozeman. While there she married her first husband, Duane Denton. Together they had two loving daughters, Daria Leigh and Diedra Anne Denton. Sandra then moved to San Francisco, and then to Anchorage, Alaska, to pursue her career in the legal field. It was there in 1995 that she met her current husband, Edward Thomas. They were married at their home in Bozeman on Feb. 17, 1996.

Sandra was a wonderful cook and avid reader, and found joy in gardening and traveling. She was a longtime 49ers fan and enjoyed watching them play on TV. She was a member of Riverside Country Club, the Spring Hill Book Club and the Gallatin Valley Newcomers. She was also involved in developing what today is the Cancer Support Community.

Sandra is survived by her loving husband, Edward; daughters, Daria and Matt Mitchell, and their sons, Jacob and Alex, and great-granddaughter Skye, and Diedra and Stanford Isobe, and their daughter, Rell; brother, James and Becky Huggins; sister, Carol Huggins; stepchildren, Christine Thomas and Jorge Castillo, and their son, Martin,  Brian and Sue Thomas, and their children, Zac and Jessica, and Mark and Christin Thomas; many loving nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

A celebration of her life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3 at the Riverside Country Club.

Memorials in her name may be sent to the Cancer Support Community, 102 S. 11th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715.