Sandy died peacefully at home on March 5, 2024 surrounded by family. She was born January 3, 1941 to Ross and Emma Kimsey of Breen. She was raised in Breen with her brothers Roger (deceased) and Roy Horvath. Sandy lived in Breen until her marriage in 1957, and then lived in Durango the rest of her life.
Sandy grew up with an early love of reading that dominated her life. She loved language and learning new words. Sandy married at the age of 16 and had three daughters by the age of 21. She worked for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service and the U.S. Forest Service. She participated in Jazzercise for many years and was always an avid walker. She worked part-time at Honeyville and Enterprise Rent-a-Car after her retirement. Sandy was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Durango, where she and her husband faithfully served in several positions. Sandy received the 2022 Durango Library Champion Award after 26 years of faithfully shelving books.
Sandy loved to cook and serve healthy meals to family and friends, and she relished stream fishing, especially in Hermosa Creek. She modeled for her family that anything was possible with enough gumption and hard work. Sandy did not like to be in the limelight, but she was frequently busy behind the scenes. She sewed clothes for herself and her daughters on a sewing machine that was her first major purchase after marriage.
For many years Sandy and her family attended a rustic camp at X Lazy F Ranch near Crawford, CO, with her brother Roy and his family. This was always a highlight of her summer. In her later years she enjoyed many trips all over the world with church groups and the Road Scholar program. She also enjoyed local drives and visits to Durango Coffee on the weekends. Sandy was an avid learner her whole life. She loved to talk to people and learn about them and their lives.
Married to the love of her life, Lee Campbell, for 66 years. Survived by her brother Roy (Suzy) Horvath of Breen, and her three daughters, Valerie Bagby of Fort Collins, Sue (Chuck) Jerome of Grand Junction, and Renee (Joe) Sebestyen of Durango. Also grandchildren Lisa (AJ) JImenez of Nambe, NM, David (Melissa) Jerome of Houston, TX, Mike Jerome of Englewood, CO, Megan (Tim) Oppelt of Glendale, CA, Stephen (Mandy) Sebestyen of Montrose, CO, and four great-grandchildren (Ira, Loec, Matthew, and Hazel).
Sandy is preceded in passing by her parents, Ross and Emma Kimsey and her brother, Roger Horvath.
Memorial contributions may be given to the FOL Durango Public Library (Attn. Barb Wynn, 1900 E. 3rd Ave., Durango, CO 81301) or the Breen Community Building Association (c/o Mae Morley, 966 CR 127, Hesperus, CO 81326).
