Sandra Oliver Obituary

A woman who taught at schools around the world, Sandra Darr Oliver died from complications of Alzheimer's disease Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at The Valley Inn in Mancos. She was 73.

Mrs. Oliver, the eldest of six children, was born to George and Cathern Ishmael Darr on Dec. 17, 1936, in rural Livingston County, Mo. She attended schools there, graduating from Chillicothe High School in 1954. Mrs. Oliver went on to graduate from Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Mo., with an associate's degree in education and music in 1956. She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and piano from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix in 1958.

She met her future husband, Charles W. Oliver, at Grand Canyon University. The couple married Aug. 23, 1957, in Chillicothe.

After their marriage, Mrs. Oliver began her career in education, teaching at schools in Arizona, Missouri, Italy and the American Consulate School in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. After the Olivers returned to the United States, Mrs. Oliver taught for 12 years at Florida Mesa Elementary School in Durango. Her career was cut short in 1991, when it was necessary for her to take medical retirement because of early signs of Alzheimer's.

For 21 years, she was the pianist for the First Baptist Church in Bayfield, a responsibility she took very seriously, her husband said.

Mrs. Oliver is survived by her husband of 53 years, Charles Oliver, of Durango; daughters Virginia Hegedus of Phoenix and Cynthia Maultsby of Glendale, Ariz.; son, Robert Oliver, of Winter Haven, Fla.; sisters Janet Jones and Karen Pauley, both of Chillicothe; brother, Joe Darr, of Chillicothe; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at First Baptist Church, 560 Buck Highway (County Road 521) in Bayfield. Burial will take place afterward at Pine River Valley Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Sandra Oliver Memorial Fund, First Baptist Church, 560 County Road 521, Bayfield, CO 81122; or the Durango Foundation for Educational Excellence, 201 East 12th St., Durango, CO 81301.