Sandra Kay Gutierrez

Sandra “Sandy” Kay Gutierrez was taken from us on Feb. 27, 2010. A rosary will be held at 6:40 pm, on March 2,  at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a visitation to follow at 7:00 pm in Smyer Hall.  Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, on March 3 at St, Mary’s Catholic Church and officiated by Msgr. Harold Waldo.  Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia.Sandy courageously battled cancer for 7 years and refused to surrender even when her body was failing.  Sandy inspired others with faith, courage, and grace. The family wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation for love and support of amazing friends, neighbors, BSA Hospice, and family who offered prayers, meals, hugs and tears.  Sandy was born September 2, 1955 in Amarillo, Texas, to William C. Sharp and Mary Frances Handley Sharp. As a child, Sandy helped care for her siblings when their mother fell ill. She was quite an accomplished athlete, especially at softball which she played for many years.  Sandy attended Alamo Catholic High School with the love of her life, Robert “Bobby” Gutierrez, where she played basketball and was a member of the ACHS Drill Team. She graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1973, with the second highest Grade Point Average in her senior class, but was not allowed the Salutatorian title as she was a transfer. Sandy and Robert were married on July 27, 1974, and God blessed Sandy with a devoted husband who worked tirelessly to care for her during her illness. During their marriage, Sandy and Robert were blessed with 4 children, their children’s wonderful spouses, and 10 beautiful grandchildren.  Sandy was a home-maker while her children were young, and worked in the after-school program at St. Mary’s Academy when her children were students there. In 2003, after raising her children, Sandy graduated with honors from Amarillo College with a degree in Interior Design. She worked for the YMCA, Custom Home Design, and Flying Star Transport.  Sandy had a solid faith in God and was a proud member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Sandy had a passion and talent for interior design, a fierce love for her family, and countless friends.  She will be remembered for her amazing homemade rolls, her thoughtful and encouraging cards she sent to others, her gentle spirit, her selfless commitment to others, and the love in her voice when she called her grandchildren’s names. Sandy’s spirit lives on in the laughter of her grandchildren.Sandy was preceded in death by her mother Mary Francis Handley Sharp. Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Robert C. Gutierrez, of Amarillo; her sons, Kenneth “Kenny” Gutierrez and wife, Misty of Rockwall, and Jonathan Gutierrez and wife, Randi of Amarillo; her daughters, Jessica Richards and husband, Roger of Amarillo and Tyla Naylor and husband, Jim of Amarillo; her father, William C. Sharp and Flo Brofft of Amarillo; her sisters, Susan Miller of Amarillo, Nina Blakeman of Tulia, and Mary Sharp of Escondido, CA; her brothers, Joe Sharp of Amarillo, and Billy Sharp of Amarillo; and her grandchildren, Elliott, Christine, Lizzie, Becca, Alexis, Keaton, Kayla, Austin, James, and Cooper; and numerous nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Downtown Women’s Center: 409 S. Monroe, Amarillo, TX 79101; Sybil B. Harrington Cancer Center: 1500 Wallace Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79106, or Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch: 600 SW 11th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79101.

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