Sandra Jane Cunningham

Sandra Jane (Winger) Cunningham was born before: television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees, and the pill (for contraception). There were no: credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens. Panty hose, air conditioners, dishwashers and clothes dryers had not been invented yet. Then clothes were hung on the line to dry in the fresh air and man hadn’t yet walked on the moon. Sandra was born April 30, 1946, in Pocatello, Idaho. Sandra appreciated beauty and adventure. She enjoyed: bicycling, hiking in the mountains and on beaches, camping trips, swimming, sailing, bowling, volleyball and softball. Sandy’s delight in adventure took her on a Colorado River whitewater trip for a week, flying over volcanos, on a hot air balloon ride, down hill skiing and may trips coast to coast to historical sites and national parks in the United States.

Sandy was very curious about her world, as she grew up in a family with dad, Melvin Winger, mother, Pauline Winger and 5 children. As eldest, Sandy was the first to graduate from George Dewey Junior High School, East Bremerton Hight school (1964), and Olympic Community College (1966) in Bremerton, Washington. Sandy went on to Western Washington University State College pursuing her interest in the sciences and teaching. She received a Bachelor of Arts (1968), and Master of Education from Western Washington State College (1974). After teaching in the Shelton school district (science to fifth and sixth graders) and Spanaway (grades third to sixth) for 31 years, Sandy retired in Washington (2000). She then traveled to Great Britain (2000), and Israel (2006). She later got a degree in computer programming and web design from Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, Washington (2004).

As a Christian, she desired to go to Bible School. Sandy got the first leave of absence Bethel School District offered and took the Grad Course at Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon. She then received her certificate in 1979. Also in 1979, Sandra married Matthew Cunningham. When he asked where she wanted to live, she answered anywhere between the Olympic Mountains and the Cascades. They made their home in Spanaway, Washington.

Sandy’s life has been governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgement, and common sense. Sandy served as a Sunday School Teacher, AWANA helper, Women’s Bible Study leader, and a Young Adults group leader at church and as a prayer group and bible study encourager in her schools. She has been and encourager and advocate for God’s word in each church she’s attended. Sandy died October 19, 2025, in her home after having lived a faithful and abundant life.

Sandy loved and is survived by her siblings, Rosanna Rogers, Chris Winger, and Flossie Wise, and brother in-laws, Frank Rogers and Fred Wise as well as many nieces, nephews, nephew in-laws, niece in-laws, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and former students. Her parents, Melvin and Pauline Winger preceded her in death as well as her brother, Rod Winger.

The memorial service for Sandy’s mourners will be held at her home church, The BRIDGE CHURCH 23001 NE State Route 3, Belfair, WA 98528 on November 22nd at 11am.