Longtime resident Sandra Marie Cruz, 69, passed away on May 22, 2023. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dedicated employee of Walmart for 22 years.

She was born on Sept. 9, 1953, in Raton, N.M., to Ramon DeHerrera and Eva Candelario. She was a hard worker from a young age and had a deep passion for gardening, yard work and fixing puzzles. She spent many hours in the spring and summer planting flowers and tending to her garden, in the cooler months fixing puzzles brought her joy.

Sandra was a devoted wife to her husband Ernie Cruz for 50 years and together they raised a beautiful family. She loved nothing more than spending time with her loved ones, especially her grandchildren who always held a special place in her heart. Family gatherings were a highlight of her life, and she valued every moment. Sandra was a devout Jehovah Witness and cherished her time spent with the congregation.

She is survived by her husband Ernie Cruz, her children Cassandra Cruz, Danny (Tyka) Cruz, Rose (Cesar) Ayala, Eva (Tim) Malo, Savannah Cruz, Joshua (Alexiss) Cruz and Junior (Michelle) Cruz, her grandchildren; Krissandra, Lorenzo, Katelyn, Tonya, Nicholas, Fabian, Michael, Darren, Jaden, Tegan, Brittany, Joseph, Matthew, Dayzha, Devon, Leilani, Malachi, Jeramiah, Jolene, Donavon, Anayiah, Emery, Armanii, Ethynna, Zane and Mercedes as well as numerous great-grandchildren, her siblings; Pauline (Bill) Trujillo, Theresa (David) Chavez, Patsy Vigil, Susie (Moises) Acosta, Orlando DeHerrera, Mary DeHerrera, Richard (Missie) DeHerrera, Raymond (Connie) DeHerrera, Louie DeHerrera, Manuel (Ethel) DeHerrera and sister-in-law Amy Martinez as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, her grandchildren John Cordova Jr, Jaydin Cruz and her siblings John Martinez, Leroy DeHerrera, Albert DeHerrera and Laura Trujillo.

Cremation was selected and a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Alamosa, Colo.

To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com. Rogers family Mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.