TORRINGTON – A Celebration of Life will be held for Saundra (Sandy) Jean Ellis, 84, on Tuesday, July 18 at 11 a.m., at the Torrington United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jeffrey Wayland officiating. Sandy entered Heaven on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Torrington Community Hospital.
Sandy was born Nov. 26, 1938, to Lester and Bethel (Raush) Short in Amarillo, Texas. Her dad was a pharmacist with Walgreen’s, therefore he was transferred to several stores throughout his career, which enabled Sandy to attend many schools while growing up. She made friends easily, so that was not a problem. She met her husband, Vernon Ellis Jr., while attending Colorado State College, which is now Colorado State University. They married Dec. 29, 1957. To this marriage Timothy was born in 1960 and Pamela in 1963.
Sandy was a homemaker all her married life, taking care of her home and family while keeping busy with volunteering for local organizations and her church.
The couple lived most of their married life in Cody, while Vernon worked as an accountant for Husky Oil. Many dear friends, such as Carol and Jack Wagner, were made in Cody as their children grew up together.
Sandy loved to garden, loved canning, going on camping excursions, following the kids in their activities, plus saving time to serve her church.
They decided to spend their retirement years in Torrington, moving here in 1994. Sandy and Vernon still kept on the go camping, volunteering, going to morning coffee groups, and square dancing.
Sandy was diagnosed with dementia/alzheimer’s summer of 2022.
Surviving Sandy is her husband Vern, son Tim (Denise) and daughter Pamela; grandchildren Ryan and Rachael Ridolfi; step-grandchildren Daniel Heilbrun and Dena Douchant; great-grandchildren Lucas, Cameron, Austin and Cayson; step-great-grandchildren Shelby, Madison, Payton, Wyatt and Kamrynn; many cousins and best friends Jack and Carol Wagner and their family.
Preceding her in death were her parents and sister Dorothy Toner.
Her request was cremation and the family requests no flowers, but encourage memorial gifts to Alzheimer’s Association, Waggin’ Tails Animal Shelter, NAMI, or Torrington United Methodist Church in Sandy’s name.
