Sandra Fern Hawkins of Hermiston passed away in Hermiston on May 14, 2023 at the age of 82.
She was born on Jan. 25, 1941 in Astoria.
As a child, Sandra moved with her family to the Monmouth and Independence areas, where she received her elementary education and graduated from high school.
Sandra married Ennis Therman (ET) Hawkins in Monmouth on April 11, 1959. The couple lived in Monmouth until 1967 when work took them to northeast Oregon. The couple moved to Hermiston in 1969, where they have resided since.
Sandra attended college in Monmouth and in LaGrande. She worked as a beautician, eventually becoming the owner/operator of Country Styles Beauty Salon in Hermiston for several years. She later went to work in the Hermiston School District as an alternative education teacher until she retired. She loved teaching and was passionate about helping children succeed.
Sandra was an excellent cook and avid reader and enjoyed researching Oregon history and family genealogy. She loved being a wife, mother and grandmother. She was devoted to her family and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ennis; five grandchildren, Abigail, Brittney, Kayla, Natasha and Randy; great-grandchildren, Alivia, Alexis, Brycen, Conner, Dominic, Jamie, Larenzo, Madison, Makaiyla and Samuel; two sisters, Trudy Reilly and Christine Buckholts; and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by all three of her children, daughter Jaime and two sons, Perry and Jeffery; and her parents, Frances Helen Nedry Burns and Robert Lee Burns.
A celebration of life will be held at the Hermiston Senior Center at 255 N.E. Second St. on July 8 at noon.
A private family gathering will be held with interment in the Hermiston Cemetery.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
