Melville (Mel) Sandras passed away at the Life Care Center of Colorado Springs on January 15, 2012. She was 94 years old.
Mel was born September 27, 1917 in Mobile, Alabama to John H. Hyde and Lucille (Swanson) Hyde. She was married to William A. Sandras, Sr. on May 24, 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana. They had two children, William A. Sandras, Jr. and Dorothy L. Sandras. Bill Sr. passed away on October 25, 1998. Mel is survived by her son, Bill Sandras (Konnie); daughter, Dee Grinewich (Walt); three grandchildren: Greg Sandras (Jennie), Eric Sandras (Cindy), and Matthew Grinewich; and three great grandchildren: Trystan, Dakota, and Carter Sandras.
In 1948, Bill and Mel transferred to Rangely, Colorado with Chevron Oil, and then in 1961 to Vernal, Utah. They were in that area until 1990 when they moved to Colorado Springs to be near family. Mel worked for the school districts in Rangely and in Vernal for many years. She also sold Real Estate in Vernal. She has always been involved in church and has been a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church since moving to Colorado Springs. Mel has been an avid bridge player from the time she was a teenager. She has always enjoyed being with friends and traveling. Since the early 1980s, Mel and Bill spent most of their winters in Arizona. Mel continued to go to Arizona for several more years after Bill passed away. Before living at the Life Care Center, she lived at the Inn at Garden Plaza for 9 years and the Bridge Assisted Living for 2 years.
There will be a Mass for Mel on Friday, January 20 at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 4925 North Carefree Circle 80917. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that those who desire may make donations to The Marion House Soup Kitchen, 14 W. Bijou 80903.