Posted on 3/22/2014

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On March 19, 2014, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Friend, Sandra Lee Cole went suddenly and unexpectedly to Heaven. Sandra was born February 15, 1941 in Vinita, Oklahoma moving shortly thereafter to Brackettville,Texas. She and her family lived on a large dairy farm where there was always plenty of work and mischief to be found. Sandra attended Brackenridge High School where she played flute in the marching band. One of her fondest memories and the start of a lifelong love for all things Disney was a trip with the band to march in the main street Disneyland parade. Sandra met and married Butch Hillmer with whom she had three children. Sandra was an extraordinary hard working mother who at times worked three jobs to provide for her children. When she met Ray Cole and married again they started a new life with their blended family, had another child together, and moved to Olympia Washington. Finally settling in Sacramento in 1977 Sandra began working at William Glen where she remained until her retirement in 2000. Sandra was always an artist, enjoying mostly tole painting and rosemaling. She was a certified decorative artist whose accolades include numerous state fair awards, a christmas ornament for the White House, judging the California state fair and other county fairs, as well as being commissioned for many works large and small. Sandra was above all else, a soldier of the Lord. She would always guide a friend or family member who was having trouble with a simple "this too shall pass" or "just believe!" Sandra is survived by her four children Lee Cole (Hayley), Lynn Perez (Coco), Richard Hillmer (Gina) and Crystal Petersen. Grandchildren Brandon (Lauren) and Dalton Cole, Jarus and Zachariah Perez, Andrew Lopez (Sara) and Lee Hillmer, Grace and Olivia Peterson, one great-grandchild Sydney Perez and her best friend and Sis, Kathy Macy. Sandra was preceded in death by her mother and father as well as her adoptive mother and father, a brother and sister, and grandson Cole Hillmer. Although we are saddened and feel an enormous void by her passing, we are comforted in knowing that her love will live forever in each of us. Services will be held Monday, March 24th at 1:30pm, Capital Christian Center, 9470 Micron Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95827 with a reception immediately following. Those who wish to make a contribution in Sandra's honor may do so at any Chase Bank location to "Sandra Cole Memorial Fund."