Sandra Kaye Shortt

Sandra Kaye Shortt, 80, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 26th in Arvada, Colorado. Sandra was born in Denver, Colorado on October 21, 1944. She had an identical twin sister, Diana and younger brother William. Her father Henry Schwartzkopf and mother Lenore Bergman raised their family on Alcott Street on the upper west side of Denver. Sandy went to West High, was an exceptional student and back then generally considered a good young lady. Sandy did not enjoy dressing or looking the same as her twin sister Diana. She was her own person and was quick to make that clear. However, she loved her sister dearly and they definitely had that “twin connection”. In their younger years, Sandy and Diana could be a little mischievous. They on occasion were known to switch classes and even switch boys on a date or two for fun.

After West High, Sandy continued her education attending school to become an X-ray Technician. Little did she know she would spend most of her life in the medical field in some manner or another. For many years Sandy and her sister ran their own interior design business and specialized in window coverings called Warm Windows. They even made window coverings for Willie Nelson’s house in Evergreen. Sandy had many craft hobbies that allowed her to make a pretty good living on the side. She also created specialized stuffed bears for a few years. Sandy was a huge part of the Evergreen community working at Lakepoint Medical Center as an X-ray Tech and Assistant Nurse at times.

While in radiology school, Sandy met a young red headed transplant from Ontario Canada and fell deeply in love and remained that way for over 60 years of marriage. Not long after Sandy and Leland were married they moved to Evergreen to start a family. Due to medical reasons they decided to adopt and quickly added Stephanie Lynn and Craig Michael to the family in 1969 and 1971. Sandy was an exceptional wife and mother. She was always there for her family in every capacity, including driving Stephanie to dance classes all the way from Evergreen to Denver or making sure Craig made it to all of his soccer and football games. She made sure both kids took up an instrument, Stephanie the piano and Craig the guitar and all the lessons that entailed. While Stephanie was in Girl Scouts, Craig did not join boy scouts but managed to break a bone every spring for several consecutive years. Luckily since Sandy worked at Lakepoint Medical Center the x-rays and casts were second nature.

With great pride and excitement, Sandy, Lee and the kids took road trips in the family Cadillac to visit Lee's family in Canada most summers. Great memories were always made and cherished. Almost every other summer they could expect a visit from aunts, uncles and cousins coming down here as well. This almost always included a trip to the Coors brewery.

Sandy was an animal lover, especially dogs. She had many wonderful dogs over the years who brought her love, laughter and enjoyment.

Unfortunately Sandy had many health issues over the years including a severe car accident and being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which she fought off and on for the rest of her life. In Sandy and Lee’s later years they moved to Laughlin, Nevada for retirement and to be close to their lifelong friends Craig and Judy Schmeiling. She said they had quite the adventure. Due to health reasons, Sandy and Lee moved back to Denver to be closer to family and exceptional medical care.

Lee, the love of Sandy’s life passed away just a year and a half ago. She longed to be with him again and when she found out her time was close she didn’t put up much of a fight. This was hard for the family as they all saw her fight so hard for so long. In the end it was bittersweet as they all know she is where she belongs, with Poppa and her furry kids.

Sandy is preceded in death by her parents Henry and Lenore Schwartzkopf, her sister Diana Carlson, and her brother William Schwartzkopf. Sandy is survived by her daughter Stephanie and son Craig as well as four grandchildren, two great grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews. She is now in heaven with her beloved Leland and all of her furry children. And let’s be honest she may have loved the dogs more than everyone else, which is fine it's who she was. She’s probably feeding them pizza and Cheetos right now…..

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sandra’s name to Humane Colorado, Foothills Animal Shelter or Humane Society of Boulder Valley.