Sandra Jean Montgomery

Sandra Jean Montgomery, 49, died Jan. 9, 2006, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, with her family at her side.

Services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the Grand View Hotel, 2900 E. Parks Hwy., Wasilla, in the Pioneer Banquet Hall.

Ms. Montgomery was born Oct. 15, 1956, in El Paso, Texas.

She moved to Alaska in January 1974, and has lived here ever since.

She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1974 and lived in Palmer at the time of her death.

Ms. Montgomery was employed with Allstate Insurance from 1984 until the time of her illness in May.

Her hobbies included martial arts, cooking, reading, taking pictures and many other activities.

Her family wrote, &#8220Sandy lost her courageous battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She first learned of her illness May 10. She was brave throughout her whole treatment.

&#8220On Sept. 1, she checked into the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, for more treatment. Her sisters, Lily and Barbara, accompanied her and stood by her side throughout the whole transplant.

&#8220Sandy always greeted the nurses and doctor with a smile and positive attitude. Even during her lowest point of treatment, she wanted to make sure her sisters were taking care of themselves.

&#8220Sandy had a loving and caring personality for her family, friends and customers of Allstate. She was happiest when spending time with her children and grandchildren.

&#8220She loved to cook and read books. She had a special talent of telling a story and making us feel as if we were part of it.

&#8220Sandy loved the state of Alaska and always enjoyed spending time with her family at their summer retreat in Anchor Point.

&#8220She had the gift to see the goodness in a person, and always opened her heart and home to those who needed a little touch of love and care. She is truly a benevolent spirit. Sandy had a strong belief in angels. Her angels said it was time, time for her to come home.

&#8220Sandy will be greatly missed and each moment spent with her will be cherished forever.”

Ms. Montgomery is survived by her children, William L. Montgomery, Michelle Larissa de la Pena and Rodney Loyce Michael Montgomery Jr.; grandchildren, Danika Montgomery, Amya Montgomery, Samina de la Pena, Misael Rodriquez and Maeloni Miller; parents, Frank and Kazuko Smith; sisters, Lily Ann Marsh and Barbara J. Fernandez; brother, Wayne Smith; many nephews and nieces, and a large group of friends who loved and valued her friendship.

People who would like to make a donation to the Sandy Montgomery Fund, may do so at the memorial service or by mail, to: Sandy Montgomery Fund, HC01 Box 6459, Palmer, AK. 99645.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.