Sandra 'Sandy' Walker Obituary (1940

Our amazing mom, Sandra (Sandy) Walker passed peacefully on Sunday, January 22nd at her home surrounded by her family. Our family and the Ellensburg community has lost a true icon. She was wise, intelligent, independent, kind, funny and a mentor to so many. She continued to joke with us until the very end. She fought her cancer with courage, dignity and grace as she did everything in her life. She will be truly missed by so many. Sandy was born in Pittsburg, PA on October 11, 1940, the youngest of three children. She was the daughter of Robert H Kleeb and Margaret E Kleeb. Her family moved to North Philadelphia when she was 6 months old and then on to Wayne, PA at the age of 5. Her father was a well-known corporate attorney in Philadelphia. Sandy graduated from Radnor High School in 1958 and The Pennsylvania State University in 1962, where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education. She became engaged to William Jeffrey Walker in 1963, an Ohio State University dental student and subsequently took a teaching position at Hilliard High School outside of Columbus, Ohio. After completing dental school, she and Jeff moved to the Whidbey Island where he was stationed at The Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. While at the naval air station they had two daughters, Christine and Michelle. In 1968 the family moved to Long Beach, WA where Jeff set up a dental practice. Upon separating in 1978 and divorcing 1981, Sandy moved to Ellensburg, WA where she became a graduate student at Central Washington University and then in 1981 became a broker at Bob Kelley Realty. Three years later she became a broker at Jenison-Repp Real Estate, now known as Windermere Real Estate/Ellensburg. After 38 years, Sandy finally retired in December of 2019. Sandy loved her real estate career. She loved the families that she worked with over her many years in the business. During her time in Ellensburg, Sandy sat on several boards such as the United Way, Kittitas County Health Board and the Child Advocacy Board. She also held many positions on the Kittitas County Board of Realtors and was awarded Realtor of The Year four times over the span of her career. She was a regular at the CWU sporting events and a financial contributor to the CWU athletics commons. Sandy loved Ellensburg, her village of women friends and her fellow golfing buddies. But most of all, she loved her two daughters and three grandchildren She would often say that there was never was a day that they did not make her proud. She felt that they were beautiful, generous, caring human beings. All of whom filled her life with joy and happiness. Sandy is survived by her two daughters, Christine M West and Michelle R Walker, her two granddaughters, Ashley and Chelan West and her grandson, Cole Weinstein. She was proceeded in death by her parents Robert H Kleeb Sr and Margaret E Kleeb, her brother Robert H Kleeb Jr and her sister Carol L Shuck. At Sandys request there will be no memorial service, only a small gathering of close friends and family members. In lieu of flowers or gifts the family requests donations be made to: The American Lung Association 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 https:/www.lung.org/get-involved/ways-to-give or Central Washington University Athletics at Wildcat Athletic Fund 715 E Dean Nicholson Blvd. Ellensburg, WA 98926 https:/wildcatsports.com/sports/2020/3/31/donate.aspx