Obituary of Sandra "Sandy" Ann Smalley

On May 4, 2022, Sandra "Sandy" Ann Smalley, age 80, passed away peacefully at her home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, after a full and busy day of life. She had been successfully mitigating cancer and heart problems for many years.

 

Sandy was born in Kinross, Michigan on November 7, 1941 to Lloyd and Vivian (Warren) Black. She was raised on her parent's farm as part of a big, loving, joking family, full of laughter from her many gregarious sisters and one brother as they grew up together in a small farmhouse. Sandy graduated from Rudyard High School in 1959 and then worked as an elementary school secretary before she met her husband, Erv.

 

On June 23, 1962, Sandy married Erville Gayle Smalley in Donaldson, Michigan. They had three children, Raymond Scott Smalley, Steven Craig Smalley, and Todd Harold Smalley. Sandy and Erv lived in Kinross, Michigan for five years while Erv served at Kincheloe Air Force Base. As Sandy raised her young family, they then moved to Griffiss Air Force Base in upstate New York, and back to Kincheloe where she stayed with the three boys while Erv was stationed in Ubon, Thailand for one year. Upon his return in 1973, they moved to Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They made Colorado Springs their home for the rest of their lives.

 

As her sons grew older, Sandy returned to work in a medical office as a receptionist and doctor's assistant, where she administered shots, among other duties. She continued to work in the medical field at CSHP, tending to medical records and scheduling patients, until she retired in 2003.

 

Upon retirement, Sandy and Erv traveled throughout the United States, visiting family and attending Air Force Squadron reunions. She also began volunteering at St. Francis Hospital in the NICU, cradling and rocking babies, aiding the nurses, and helping to train other volunteers. Sandy won several awards for her volunteer service and attended a special conference where she was recognized as an outstanding volunteer.

 

Sandy prevailed over several health issues in her lifetime. She was strong, resilient, and determined as she overcame a heart attack in 1998 and, later, ovarian cancer in 2010. During this time, her husband Erv was diagnosed with bladder cancer and she and Erv took turns taking care of each other. Unfortunately, Erv passed away in 2011 while Sandy was dealing with various complications that arose from her cancer treatments, including a bone infection and reconstructive jaw surgery. She faced all of this courageously with the help of her family, friends, and neighbors. Everyone was constantly amazed by her stubborn "I don't have time for this" attitude because she had "too much to do." She is well-remembered by her doctors for her successful "I can beat this" belief.

 

She enjoyed spending time with her family, talking with her sisters and brother on the phone almost every day, visiting with neighbors and friends, and taking care of her house. After her cancer went into remission, Sandy traveled across the country on an RV trip with her brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Barbara Smalley. She treasured every visit she had with family and friends.

 

Along with a spunky personality and a big heart, Sandy had a gift for gab and enjoyed starting conversations with anyone, quickly making friends out of strangers. She loved making big, home-cooked meals for others and baking her favorite breads (banana and pumpkin) and her famous carrot cake, which she often made for her doctors and delivered to them on special occasions.

 

Sandy was an avid reader and loved following her favorite TV shows. After Erv passed, she planted a garden every spring with the help of her youngest son, Todd and his wife, Tina, and enjoyed harvesting carrots and zucchini with her great-grandchildren, Ava and Hudson, who called her 'Gigi.'

 

Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and she was thrilled to have her family come home to celebrate with her every year. Sandy carried on several of her mom's traditions, such as making fudge as gifts and baking a different pie for each person who came. She loved to send home leftovers, and made sure everyone went out the door with lots of her goodies. Sandy and Erv's home was a warm gathering place where many fond memories were made for decades.

 

Sandy is survived by her sons, Ray, Steve, and Todd; her daughters-in-law, Jen, and Tina; her grandchildren, Ryan, Sara, Naomi, Cooper, and Henry; her extended family members, Julie and Jose Rivera; and her great-grandchildren, Ava, and Hudson. Surviving siblings include her sisters, Clara Yoder, and Augusta Desigio; brother-in-law, James Desigio; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

 

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, Erville Smalley; her granddaughter, Lindsay Smalley; her father and mother, Lloyd and Vivian Black; her sisters, Donna Black, Elda Sawyers, and Pearl Eagle; and her brother, Clyde Black.

 

A date will be announced for a future memorial service and inurnment to be held at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery, dependent upon cemetery scheduling.

 

The Springs Funeral Services was entrusted with the arrangements.

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