Sandra Lynne Steveson's Obituary
Sandra Lynne Steveson, born October 21, 1942, Sandra passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the age of 81 after a short stay at Bonita View Hospice. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Glen Charles Erickson and Grace Estelle Erickson. Sandra “Sandy” (Erickson) Steveson was a 1960 high school graduate at Crawford High School in San Diego, CA. Sandra is survived by her three children: Barbara Sutton of San Jose, CA; William Faulker of San Diego, CA; and Robert Faulkner of Escondido, CA. Sandra has four granddaughters; Amber Campos, Shaila Faulkner Ohashi, and Michelle Canizales, and Wendy Smith. Four grandsons; Jason, Jeremy and Joshua Steveson, Nick Steveson, and is the great-grandmother to Chloe Rose and Morgan Young.
Sandra is also survived by her brother, Bruce Erickson of Minnesota, and his children, Laurie Hoffman and David Erickson. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Theresa Madden, her brother-in-law Jerry Madden, and their two boys, Jason and Dustin Madden.
Sandra was not only accomplished but also a pioneer for women. Sandra was one of the first women to receive a grant from the county welfare system in the 1960s, which enabled her to go to school to get a career as a single parent and get “off the system.” This is where her nursing career began.
Sandra began her nursing career in 1970 as an LVN, Sandra then continued her education while working to become a registered nurse at Sharp Memorial Hospital in Kearny Mesa, California. She then moved on to Pomerado Hospital in Poway, CA. While at Pomerado, Sandra became a part of the Sexual Assault Rape Team, the first in San Diego County. On a few occasions, Sandra would take leave from Pomerado to do cruise ship nursing. Her travels included the Panama Canal and Alaska. She loved this work.
Sandra has lived in Peru, Abu Dhabi, and spent two trips to live in the Marshall Islands, where she retired in 2010 as a nurse for the Island of Kwajalein. Part of her duty in the Marshall Islands was to learn sea rescue. While on Kwajalein, she partnered with James Schilling. Sandra nurtured Melissa and Jeffery Schilling, whom she considered a huge part of her life on Kwaj. Among the family, she was also very close to their older siblings, Cindy Mathieson, Leon Schilling, Lester Schilling, and Kim Schilling Munoz.
There are so many more words to share, but this last piece was given to me by her granddaughter, Amber.
She Was There
When a calming, quiet presence was all that was needed, She was there.
In the excitement and miracle of birth or in the mystery and loss of life, She was there.
When a silent glance could uplift a patient, family member of friend, She was there.
At those times when the unexplainable needed to be explained, She was there.
When the situation demanded a swift foot and sharp mind, She was there.
When a gentle touch, a firm push, or an encouraging word was needed, She was there.
In choosing the best one from a family’s “Thank You” box of chocolates, She was there.
To witness humanity,—its beauty, in good times and bad, without judgment, She was there.
To embrace the woes of the world, willingly, and offer hope, She was there.
And now, that it is time to be at the Greater One’s side, She is there.
-Duane Jaeger, RN, MSN
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