ALTAHA, Sandra

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 03/11/2016 Sandra Altaha died Feb. 29, 2016. She was born Oct. 1, 1938, to Eunice L. Tessler and Kelly Patterson (deceased) in Cibecue. Sandra had five children: Kimberly Johnson (deceased), Alias Johnson, Samantha Johnson (deceased), Donovan Johnson and Shawn Cooya; 10 grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. Sandra enjoyed life and worked at a nursing home as a nurse’s assistant. She also worked for the Forestry Department as a camp crew member and at the Whiteriver and Cibecue sawmills. The last few years she worked as a flagger for road construction. Sandra loved the outdoors, loved to garden and loved birds and chickens. She also loved to camp, go hiking and sight-seeing. Sandra made the best banana bread and used to sell them for one dollar. Her hobbies included beading, crocheting, sewing camp dresses and loved to pick pinon and acorns. She was a singer for the family church and went to church almost every Sunday. “We are truly going to miss our sister, auntie and grandma and a friend.” Silver Creek Mortuary handled arrangements.