Sally Sandvik (Adams), 80
Sally Sandvik (Adams), 80, passed away on Sept. 1, 2023, in Steilacoom, Washington where she had been living since 2014.
She was born on July 10, 1943, in Seattle, Washington to Frank and Betty Adams at a time when her father was being deployed to England in preparation for the Normandy invasion and her mother was working in Seattle and attending business school.
1st Lieutenant Frank Adams was killed in France on July 26, 1944, and did not live to know Sally. She and her mother returned to their hometown of Whitefish, Montana soon after and Sally spent her youth enjoying summers at City Beach, skiing Big Mountain in the winter, and visiting her grandparents' farm.
She attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington and received a degree in Sociology. She also met her husband, Dean Sandvik, at school and they were married on August 23, 1964.
After graduation they moved to Denver, Colorado to begin their careers. They had two children, Mark and Jon, while in Denver and moved to Steamboat Springs in 1971.
She loved getting to know her new neighbors and spent many years supporting the Red Cross swim program at what is now Old Town Hot Springs, Little Toots and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, and with the Auxiliary at Routt Memorial Hospital.
As her kids grew, she first worked as a ski instructor and then at Grants Juniors, Steamboat Kids and Inside Edge Sports among others. She loved taking her family on summer trips back to Whitefish and having her children spend time with their grandma and great-grandma and swimming in Whitefish Lake.
In 1988, the two were divorced and she spent a few more years in Steamboat before heading out for new experiences living in Palm Coast, Florida for a few years and then nearly twenty years in Nellysford, Virginia.
In 2014, she moved to Steilacoom, Washington to be close to family where her son Jon lives with his wife, Dierdra and sons, Ryan and Nolan. While in Steilacoom she spent many years volunteering for a program to support the women and girls of Moldovia.
She is survived by sons, Mark (wife Stacey), and Jon (wife Dierdra); and five grandchildren, Jessica, Ryan, Addison Nolan and Erik.
Sally will be honored in a small, private ceremony. Friends of Sally are invited to join the family from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Oct. 6, at Haymaker Patio to share memories and celebrate Sally's life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in honor of Sally to your local animal shelter or rescue program.