Hazel Sandoval Obituary

Hazel M. Sandoval died of a heart attack Sunday, July 31, 2011, in Delta. She was two weeks shy of her 55th birthday.

Mrs. Sandoval was born to Jose E. and Gloria A. Romero on Aug. 14, 1956, in Durango. She grew up in Durango and graduated from Durango High School. She lived in Durango until she was 21.

In the mid-1970s, she married Gerald P. Sandoval in Durango. The marriage later ended in divorce.

For 26 years, Mrs. Sandoval worked as a switchboard operator for Mountain Bell, which later became U.S. West and then Qwest during her time with the company. She had worked at Imprints Wholesale, where she had many friends, for seven years.

Mrs. Sandoval enjoyed going for motorcycle rides in the mountains, picnics and camping.

"Hazel was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to all she knew and loved," her family wrote. "She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her."

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Gerald P. Sandoval.

Mrs. Sandoval is survived by her sons Kris Sandoval and Steven Sandoval, both of Denver; boyfriend, Newell Cox, of Commerce City; sisters Vivian Tafoya of Pueblo and Cathy McMannus of Colorado Springs; brother Nick Romero of Durango; stepdaughter, Michelle Cruz, of Aurora; and eight grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., and the rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 254 East Fifth Ave. Cremation will take place afterward.