Sandra Cripps Shepherd, 67, of Orem, Utah, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2023, from cancer.

Sandra was a loving, kind, unselfish, generous, supportive, and funny daughter, sister, friend, wife, mom, mother-in-law, and grandma. She was warm and welcoming to all in her life. For many years she hosted the "popcorn party" at her home on Sunday evenings where she created a safe place to land by making sure everyone from family, longtime friends, and even friends of friends felt loved and at home. Her friends and family could rely on her for sage, practical, good advice, and help solving problems. Like all people, Sandra faced struggles and hardships, but she was resilient and kept moving forward with faith, hope, and hard work.

Sandra loved and lived for her family and was always there for them helping with cross-country moves, babies, and everything in between. Sandra was a fun grandma who was always up for an adventure. She loved to play games, craft, hike, bake, read to, and travel with her grandkids. She read all the Harry Potter books because her grandkids were mega-fans. She enjoyed making Christmases magical. Sandra loved nature and shared that love with her kids and grandkids. She enjoyed nothing more than working in the garden or going for a hike with her family. Her favorite times were when her family would gather and spend time together at events, large or small. And of course, going out to eat or to get a Coke were fun staples in her life.

Sandra had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. She showed this commitment in her many decades of service to family, friends, and church members. She served in a wide variety of church callings and also sacrificed her time, talents, and energy serving those around her. She loved the hymns and faithfully worked to expand her knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ by reading her scriptures, playing hymns, attending the temple, and serving others. Her faith was an example to all those who knew her.

Sandra was born on May 23, 1955, to Keith Cripps and Geraldine Painter Cripps in Cedar City, Utah. After graduating from Cedar City High School in 1973, she married Brent Nuttall. They lived in Orem, Utah, and had four children: Carey, Marc, Heather, and Christopher. After more than twenty years of marriage, Sandra and Brent decided to divorce but remained friends, often sharing holidays and other important occasions together.

On February 19, 2005, Sandra married longtime family friend, Jay Shepherd. A second marriage for both, it was a wonderful surprise that brought 18 years of friendship, family, travel, and joy.

Sandra always worked hard starting in her family's grocery store, Keith's Westside Grocery. For many years she managed Brent's painting business and later certified as a pharmacy technician, working at Fred Meyer, Osco Drug, and Rite Aid. For the last 20 years, she worked at the BYU pharmacy where she enjoyed her coworkers and helping students and missionaries.

Sandra is survived and will be deeply missed by her loving husband Jay; her cherished sisters Debbie Nelson and Karen (Kurt) Kupfer; her beloved children Carey (Erin), Marc (Tracy), Heather Benally Jensen (Chris), and Christopher (Elizabeth); and her nine adoring grandchildren Ander, Hadyn, and Isla Nuttall; Mira, Ezra, and Sara Nuttall; Courage Benally and Cambria Jensen; and Thurston and Maeve Nuttall. She will also be missed by the Shepherd children Greg, Cathy, Stephanie, Jill, Patti, Michael, MaryJane, Ritch, and Jen and their spouses and children who she treasured. Her dear sisters-in-law Cara Lee (Michael) Neilsen, Gail Bousfield, Judy Cripps, Diane Gurr, and Tami Powell will also miss her along with her many other family and friends who meant the world to her. She is predeceased by her parents, Keith and Jeri Cripps, and her brother, Kendall Cripps.

All are welcome to attend the viewing and funeral services which will be held Friday, March 31, 2023, at the LDS chapel located at 90 North 600 West in Orem, Utah. The viewing will be at 9:30-10:30 am and the funeral service will be at 11:00 am.

The family would like to give special thanks to Sandra's ward members; Dr. Wallentine, her hospice nurses Barbara McNaughton, Val Finnegan, Carol Dawes, Delene Wright, Teresa Aiello, and Charlene Brailsford; and her friends Heidi Janeway and Kristy Brough for their unselfish kindness and generosity.