SANDRA SMITH FISHER
1950-2022
Sandra “Sandy” Smith Fisher was a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother “Grandy”, sister, aunt and friend. She passed away on November 15, 2022 in Hot Springs, SD.
Sandy was born to Jack and Ruby Smith on July 20, 1950 in Greybull, WY. She moved what she would tell us nearly 30 times before she graduated from Platte Valley High School in 1968. She mentioned the many moves being difficult, but we think that may have contributed to her ability to strike up a conversation with anyone.
Soon after high school, she married David Vecchio on June 25, 1969. Together, they had two children, Wade and Nina. It was the greatest accomplishment of Sandy’s life to be a mother and grandmother. She raised her children well, always assuring they knew she was so proud of them. She fiercely loved them and was an important part of every chapter of their lives. She was protective of her children, parents, siblings, all family and friends.
Sandy had many talents. She was very artistic – she created everything from sculpted Christmas ornaments to western-themed bronzes. She was a skilled cattlewoman, ranch hand and horsewoman – early on, she competed in some rodeo events. In the 80s and early 90s she had a variety of other jobs including being an interviewer to gather data for the University of Michigan, created beautiful floral arrangements in Saratoga, and before leaving the area she was the Saratoga High School secretary where she loved interacting with the staff and students.
On March 15, 1996 she married Jon Fisher. Over the years, they supported each other to grow in their careers. Sandy always wanted to be a paralegal and found a close second being a legal secretary at the Vansteenburg Law Firm in Scottsbluff, NE. Later, she made a significant impact at the Foundation Office at Peru State College where she also made lifelong friends. Sandy loved to travel with Jon and enjoyed their fishing adventures and exploring the various locations Jon’s annual work conventions would take them.
Wherever Sandy would go, she would find joy in the simple things. She had the best sense of humor and the sparkle in her eyes said so much. She was a very beautiful and compassionate person inside and out. She could out-fish anyone and she thrived in the outdoors. All the while, she had an amazing green thumb and was a wonderful cook – always making every home she lived in the coziest and most welcoming place.
In 2014, she received the feared diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Our world has not been the same since that time and especially since her time on earth ended. She is dearly missed, but we all have peace and comfort knowing that she no longer has to fight the cognitive battle and she is in a better place.
She is survived by her husband Jon Fisher, her children Wade (Cathy) Vecchio, Nina (Daniel) Beach, step-sons James Fisher, Joseph (Lindsey) Fisher, her three grandsons, Creighton, Dawson and Barrett Beach and her siblings, Karen Brown, Maynard Smith and Linda (Steve) Story. Her parents preceded her in death. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. in Sheridan on June 22, 2023 at Holy Name Catholic Church with a reception following at Welcome Market Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor.