LOVELL, Sandra (Sam) Lee

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Friday, December 04, 2015 Sandra (Sam) Lee Lovell, born in March of 1947, completed her journey on this earth Nov. 26, 2015. Sam died peacefully in her sleep early Thanksgiving morning before she could taste her last blueberry pie; to attend her last and best graduation yet. Sandra was born in Bennington, Vermont, to George and Mary Lovell. Her early years were spent in Vermont until The Lovells moved to Norwalk, California, in 1952, where Sandra grew up and later graduated from Norwalk High School. She was an honor student who never missed a day of school. In high school she played trumpet in the band and later became the marching band's drum major and went on to teach at several Drum Major camps in Redlands, California. After graduation, Sam earned her nursing degree from Mercy College of Nursing in San Diego. This began a life dedicated to medical research and education. In 1974, she moved to Boise, Idaho, to complete a two-year certificate program in Nurse Anesthesia. Back in California at Cypress College, Sam earned her associate of science degree. She never stopped educating herself. In 1976, Sam moved to Minnesota to pursue her career as a nurse anesthetist and where she also worked in a research lab. With a desire to begin teaching in her field, she pursued a master of arts degree in education from the College of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Science degree in anesthesia from the University of Minnesota. She went on to earn her master's degree in physiology from the University of Minnesota as well. She served as an associate professor at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota for 13 years. Sam lived in White Bear Lake for 27 years before she moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to be close to family and set up the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Midwestern University in Glendale. At this time, Sam was enrolled in the doctoral Program in Higher Education through Saint Mary's University. She almost finished the program when Alzheimer's interrupted her pursuit. She never gave up her love of research and education by becoming part of an Alzheimer's research study in Sun City under Dr. Marwan Sabbagh. During her career, Sam was an active member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. She served on numerous committees and spoke all over the country. In 1993, she received the Didactic Instructor of the Year Award from the AANA, one of her proudest achievements. Sam loved to travel, golf, ski and was an avid reader; often one or two books in a weekend. She was a great lover of cats; especially her beloved Maine Coons - Wizard, Sedona, Sierra and Rocket's Red Glare (born on the 4th of July). She was totally dedicated to her family and traveled most holidays to be with them. After her diagnosis of Alzheimer's, and later Parkinson's, Sam moved to Prescott Valley, Arizona, to be close to and cared for by her family. She was still able to enjoy a cruise to Hawaii and Alaska and drives to Sedona, her favorite shopping spot. Sandra is survived by her brother, Paul Lovell (Linda); sister Linda Flora (Rick); and brother Scott Lovell (Sharon).Also by nephew Stephen Lovell (Wendy); niece Christina Burr (John); niece Heather Lovell; nephew Joshua Flora (Becky; and nephew Jedidiah Flora (Shawn). Sam will be dearly missed by all. Her love of education and love for her students will follow her like a shining light. Sam's body will be donated to the University of Arizona School of Medicine so that she may continue to make a contribution to research and education. There will a celebration of Sam's life at her last home in Dewey, Arizona, on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Please call Rick or Linda Flora for directions. Arizona Ruffner-Wakelin Funeral Home aided in her arrangements. Special thanks to the gals at Aspen Creek Care Home for the special love and care in Sam's last days. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Prescott Humane Society or the USO. But, Sam so loved flowers, they will be honored and welcomed as well. Information provided by survivors.