CLUSTER, Sandra Lee

Sandra Lee Cluster passed away peacefully on November 30, 2002 in Mesa, Arizona, after a three and half year struggle with ovarian cancer. Memorial service at St. Matthew United Methodist Church 2540 West Baseline Road, Mesa, Arizona on Wednesday December 4th, 2002. Sandra was born in Eureka, Kansas, the only child of Freda and Tom Raber on December 9, 1942. She completed public school in Wichita, Kansas, graduating from East High in 1961, and from the Wichita Business College in 1962. On June 16, 1963, she married her high school sweetheart, Allan (Ben) Cluster of Wichita, who survives her. Sandra worked as a receptionist for an oral surgeon and financed the last two years of Allan's education at Wichita State University for which he is eternally grateful. Sandra became an Army wife in 1969 and spent her time doing many of the creative things she liked best. She excelled at oil painting, sewing, ceramics, cake decoration and antique shopping. Sandra and Allan's final move was to Arizona in 1979. Sandra made a conscious decision to be home with the children as much as possible. Consistent with that decision she decided to operate a licensed child daycare at home. Thru her nurturing, persistence, guidance, and affection over 40 children have had their lives influenced in the right direction. She has a large, large extended family. Over the years she has been active in supporting St. Matthew United Methodist Church. She was active in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Worship Committee and Methodist Women's Group. While her children were growing up one of the family's favorite activities was camping on the Mogellon Rim or at Greer in the White Mountains. She was a loving person. She loved her god, her parents, her husband, her family, her relatives, and her friends. She exemplified what the Bible says in 1 John 4:7: Beloved let us love one another for god is love every one that loveth is born of god. In addition to her beloved husband of almost 40 years, Sandra is succeeded by her son Brant Cluster, her daughter Krista Cluster Russ, her daughter Keri Cluster Blackwell, her cousin Norma Peters, all in the Phoenix Metro Area. 2nd Cousin Robin Peters, in Munson Massachusetts, Her aunt Martha and uncle Jim Bancroft and cousin Nancy Day in Waco Texas, Her cousin Jill Ralston in Avon Lakes Ohio, Her aunt Bertie Roquet and cousin Jeri Carter in Paradise, California, Her cousin Janice Gilbert, in Hidden Hills, California, Her cousin Bob Shank, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Her cousin Bob Shank in Tileesville, Florida, Her cousin Don Shank in Harlingen, Texas, Her cousin Bette Janus, in Zion, Illinois, Her brother-in-law John Cluster of Houston, Texas, Her sister-in-law Beverly Spiegelberg of Mercer Island, Washington, And her stepbrother Phillip Reynolds of Sunnyvale, California. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Matthew UMC, 2540 W. Baseline Rd., Mesa, AZ 85202. Arrangements by Mtn. View Memorial Gardens Mortuary, 7900 E. Main, Mesa, AZ. The Arizona Republic December 4, 2002