Sandra Wadley Tew (78) passed away on March 7, 2024 in St George, Utah.
Sandra was born in Heber City, Utah September 8, 1945 to William and Laberta Wadley. She was raised in Tabiona, Utah. Sandra talked about her time growing up in “Tabby” with fondness. She loved her five siblings, and living in a small town near a river where she would fish with her mother. She loved her Daddy and Mama and we are certain it was a happy reunion with them.
Sandra met her husband Fred Tew at a dance in Duchesne, Utah. They were married in the Salt Lake Utah Temple on May 6, 1966. Fred and Sandra immediately settled down in Talmage, Utah and lived there until 2014 when they moved to St George. Their greatest accomplishment was raising ten children together. Sandra loved her children and grandchildren very much and was proud of all of them.
Mid-life, Sandra was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. She lost her eyesight at a much greater speed than what doctors expected and has been completely blind the last 20+ years of her life. This was definitely one of life’s greatest challenges for her. She is a true example of enduring to the end. She did not complain about her eyesight. In fact most times, she would deny she even had a vision problem.
Sandra was a very talented crafter with her hands. She crocheted many blessing dresses for babies in her family, as well as the community. She knitted blankets out of every kind of yarn she could get her hands on. She made Christmas bell ornaments out of beads and clear string. We all wish we still had those bells for our own Christmas trees and have tried to replicate them!
She sewed innumerable blankets with speed and precision. If Sandra ever felt a mistake in any of her blankets she would unwind the whole thing (even if it was 90% done) and start over. She was a stubborn perfectionist! Most notably, she did this without her eyesight. She persevered through when many would have given up. Even with the loss of her eyesight, way too soon, she continued to sew and crocheted the most beautiful things. What her eyes denied her, her hands and heart stepped in and showed her how. She was crocheting until her last day, with difficulty, but still doing it.
Sandra played the piano beautifully. She had an alto singing voice and was very talented in anything music related. She led the music in church for many years and played the piano in primary. She loved the movie Sound of Music and enjoyed listening to her favorite vocal duo The Carpenters.
Sandra was a voracious reader. She read print books as long as her eyesight would allow. After she couldn’t read print anymore, she would listen to books on tape and CD. She probably listened to every book the library for the blind had to offer. Her favorite books included The Work and The Glory and the Harry Potter series.
Her family knows well her love of hot tamales, cherry cordials and chocolate covered cinnamon bears. Sandra had a sweet tooth and kept a stash of candy within reaching distance.
Sandra had really beautiful print and cursive handwriting. It was a shame when her eyesight got so bad that she couldn’t sign checks or school notes anymore. Her kids couldn’t forge her signature nearly as pretty as she wrote it.
Sandra leaves behind a large legacy with 10 children, 35 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her brother Paul Wadley.
She is survived by her children: Valerie (Colin) Brinkerhoff, Bill (Tessie) Tew, Rebecca (Wade) Rhoades, Annette Orton, Blaine (Leslie) Tew, Steven (Anne) Tew, Paul (Jessica)Tew, Deedra (Garrett) Wilkerson, Merri (Wes) Hackett, and Leandra (Jesse) Call. Her sisters Katherine, Rose Ann, Dawna and Wilda.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 9:30-10:30 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (31 West Maple Street, Mapleton, Utah). Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints (31 West Maple Street, Mapleton, Utah). Interment services following funeral at Evergreen Cemetery (1997 S 400 E St, Springville, Utah).
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Condolences can be offered at www.springcreekmortuary.com.
