Sunday, July 7, shortly after sunrise, the world lost a truly great lady.  Sandra Kury (Saundra), passed from us after a near 4 year battle with dementia, a vile, vicious, insidious, cruel disease.

She was the kindest, most caring, genuine and perpetually optimistic person you would ever meet. She was easy to like, with her beautiful smile and approachable personality. If you knew her for five minutes or 50 years, as I did, your conclusion is the same.  WOW, what a great person. She never spoke ill of others, and had no patience for those who did. Others always spoke of her with affection, respect and gratitude. Every life she touched was better for it.

She was a multi media artist, horticulturalist, and herbalist. She was well known in the essentials oil community, and was a board member and staff for the Botanical College in Santa Cruz.  She had an oil for everything, and if needed she would blend one for you that fixed your soul. It was not uncommon for her to ambush you with a spray, because she thought you 'needed it'.

She was a magical naive innocent.  A true 'new age Goddess'. Even in her 85th year, in the grips of dementia, she always saw the good, and was perplexed by the bad.  Throughout our nearly 41 year marriage, through our professional and entrepreneurial ups and downs, she would often comment, 'why did they do that, we are good people'.  Unlike her, the world was not as kind and generous as her outlook belied.  Keeping her safe and secure in her world was my sacred mission. In the end I could only stand by as she began her solo last journey, on her own terms of course.  She was a strong believer in karma and in the end knew it would all balance out.

Sandra was ahead of social norms in many areas of her life. She had been preparing whole foods with organic ingredients over 50 years ago, well before it became mainstream. (Excusing the occasional hotdog she served for breakfast.) She used herbs from her garden to make flavored salts and seasonings.

Before essential oils were popular in western medicine, Sandra studied, mixed and applied them to heal, calm and invigorate. (tea tree oil fixed everything) In the late 60's and early 70's she was a forerunner in the belief that children should be seen and very much heard. She believed they had valuable things to share and that their ideas mattered.

This eclectic woman loved many things in life. Her pets were extensions of her soul and personality.  She had a unique approach to gardening - she liked whimsical, cottage type gardens scenes intermixed with bushes and trees of all variety. Her garden is overrun with rosemary, artemisia and succulent. You never knew where a garden gnome would appear.

She loved to read and share books with her friends and children. Music such as Neil Diamond and Kris Kristofferson were favorites throughout her life. She was of course the new age 'urban cowgirl' and equally enjoyed Willie Nelson, Walon Jennings and Garth Brooks.

Sandra loved to have philosophical conversations about people, animals and history. And, although your opinions were 'not right', you were never wrong.

She was a talented sketch artist and painter in water color and acrylics. Her work was simple and uncomplicated like her. She was self-deprecating when praised for her skill and vision.

The forest and beach were perhaps her favorite places to visit and enjoy nature. While visiting such locations, you could always count on her collecting feathers, pinecones, shells, driftwood and other natural treasures.  There was always a new project in the works.

A kind, gentle and loving person.   A free spirit who without embarrassment or apology freely danced to the beat of her own drum.  The world was so much better with Sandra in it.

She is survived by her husband of near 41 years, David Kury, her dog Rocky and her children, Dianne Habing (Steve), Randy Moen (Shawn) and Susan Penprase (Jim).  Grandchildren; Jason Habing (Amber) Dylan Habing (Sarah) Alexis Carota (Aaron) Jake Moen, Allaena Moen and Emily Vlahandreas (Nick).  Her Great Grandchildren; Nora and Mallory Vlahandreas, Layla Habing, Lucy Habing and Harlow Carota. She is also survived by her brother, Ernest Eugene Montagne (Marie) along with a niece and several nephews.

She was preceded in death, by her father Marion Montagne, mother Mary Joyce Doty Montagne and her oldest brother, James Montagne.

Her passing comes with great sadness, for all who loved her.   She will be dearly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held  on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:00 am at Habing Family Funeral Home.

Followed by a Celebration of Life/Reception, location pending.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer's Association Donation Link

Please take the few extra moments to make it a 'in memory of' donation.