Sandra Harden

Sandra “Sandy” Jean Harden (née Mason) was a caring mother, Grammy, sister, and friend. She left this world on June 10, 2023, at the age of 86.

Sandy was born March 13, 1937, in Greeley, Colorado, to Virgil and Edna Mason. She graduated from College High and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Colorado State College (now University of Northern Colorado). She taught high school home economics before having children and eventually settling in Denver. Later, Sandy became an office manager for L.C. Fulenwider.

A single mom of 4, she often worked second jobs at retail stores including May D&F, Foley’s and Dillards. She loved to tell the story of meeting Dikembe Mutumbo. She did not know who he was at the time but seeing his stature, she asked if he ever considered playing basketball. He politely and humbly replied that he had given it a try.

She leaves behind two brothers, Jim Mason (Loretta) (OR) and Dale Mason (CO), 4 children and 8 grandchildren: Theresa Burnett (Mike) and children Alec and Haley Salmen (NC); David Harden (CO); Cindy Burch (Russ) (TX) and children Albie Burch (TX), Jessica Burch (CO) and McKenzie Bulgerin (David) (WI); and Steve Harden (Heidi) and children Connor, Laura and Bryan (CO).  Her family was her pride and joy, and she delighted in hearing of their accomplishments.

Sandy loved spending time in the garden, planting flowers and pulling weeds. She was constantly organizing things and was a phenomenal seamstress, sewing clothes and gifts for friends and family. She enjoyed spending time with her Optimist Club friends, and served as the building representative at Heather Gardens, where she lived for 10 years before moving in with Steve and his family. She never met a stranger, having a kind heart and offering an ear when needed.

She was not one to take it easy. She always had a list of chores to accomplish each day. Even toward the end, when she was forced to slow down, she told her Denver Hospice nurse that she needed to be able to get out and pull weeds.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help fight child abuse at  www.denvercac.org .  A celebration of life is being planned for November 24, 2023, at the Chapel at Bethany Lutheran Church at 11:00am.