Sandra Margene Nielson

On Saturday, August 19th, 2017, Sandi left this mortal life to begin her work in heaven. We joyfully and respectfully say goodbye to this great woman, mother, grandmother and friend. Her life was dedicated to service, the Lord, the community and the people she loved most, her family. She was loved by so many and set a wonderful example for all.

Born on March 13th, 1955 to G. Larry and Betty Gibb, Sandi was a ray of sunshine in their lives and was surrounded by an extended family who cherished her. Later, she was joined by younger siblings; Patti Gibb, Larry “Bud” Gibb and Connie George, all of whom she loved dearly.

Sandi grew up in an Air Force family and was stationed in many places throughout the United States and Canada. She learned to get involved from her mother who always looked for service opportunities no matter how long or short they were stationed in one place.

Sandi married her husband Curtis Nielson in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 1975 and moved to Arizona in 1976. They lived in San Manuel, Tucson and Avondale. In San Manuel, she looked for opportunities to serve. She began with 4H and taught the girls how to sew, and then worked with the Cub Scouts in the community pack. The Girl Scouts needed a cookie coordinator for the tri-city area she volunteered. She also found time to write a column for the local newspaper.

In Tucson, Sandi was quick to get involved again as a Girl Scout leader with her husband for Junior Scouts and as a Boy Scout merit badge counselor for the Citizenship in the Community and Nation merit badges. She loved this country and let the people she met know of her patriotism. In between these activities, she earned an Associate’s Degree in Travel Management at Pima College and set up trips for friends and for her family.

With four children in school, Sandi got involved with the school to support the kids and was elected to the Marana School District Governing Board. Her desire to see youth succeed led her to become the Boy Scout Advancement Chair for the Catalina Council where she worked with Eagle Scout candidates for several years. She was awarded the District Award of Merit and council Silver Beaver Award for her dedicated service. She also became a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts. In January 2017, the Boy Scouts honored her in with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

After moving to Avondale in 2004, Sandi looked for new areas to focus her energy. She was elected to the Littleton Elementary School District Governing Board and served until December 2016. She was also her Homeowners’ Association president until April 2017. Her tenacious efforts made Cold Water Ridge one of the lowest crime areas in the city. She was elected to the Avondale City Council in 2014 and was serving as Vice Mayor at her passing.

Sandi loved to travel and visited every state in the United States as well as Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Europe and England. Her favorite memory was a hot air balloon ride in Pretoria, South Africa that landed in a prison yard.

Sandi spent her lifetime serving others in a variety of callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her favorite was serving in the Mesa and Phoenix Temples.

Sandi invited women in need into her home to live until they could get back out on their own. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ and shared that love and testimony with everyone that she met. You always knew where Sandi stood. Her example in life was much farther reaching than just service to others and her community. She always got involved wherever she was – church, Scouts, schools, community, and just caring and serving those around her.

Sandi is survived by her parents G. Larry and Betty Gibb, spouse Curtis and their four children and their loving spouses; Jason and Carrie Nielson, Heidi and Jace Larkin, Peter and Meggan Nielson and Serina and Nicholas Haines. She will be dearly missed by her 15 grandchildren, all of whom she deeply loved.

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 25th, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Tolleson LDS Meetinghouse (701 No. 95th Ave., Tolleson). Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, August 26th, at the same location. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:00 to 10:15 prior to the service. Internment will take place at Resthaven Park Cemetery (6450 W. Northern Ave., Glendale) after the service.

Anyone interested in donating to the ALS Foundation may do so at - http://webaz.alsa.org