Sandra Pitts

Sandra Jensigne Schettler Pitts peacefully passed away on November 13, 2023 surrounded by her family, whom she loved deeply.

Sandra was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Haydn Alder Schettler and Leta Bessie Squires Schettler on December 27, 1938. Growing up mainly in Salt Lake, she spent several of her childhood years living in Japan with her family. She later attended West High School and the University of Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art.

Sandra married her high school sweetheart, Jack Harvey Pitts, in the Salt Lake Temple on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1961, which she always considered her lucky day. She and Jack were blessed with three daughters, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Sandra was an accomplished painter and used her artistic eye and creativity to bring beauty into everything she did. She worked as an art teacher at public schools in Salt Lake City, but also shared her talents through making thoughtful hand-made cards, inventive meals, and most often the art of origami, which she learned while living in Japan. You knew you were loved if Sandra shared one of her intricate origami pieces with you, and they were not a gift she only shared with her family and friends. After eating at Crown Burgers, a family favorite, she would leave an origami gift for the worker tasked to clean the table, and she shared an origami Christmas star with her favorite employee at their dry cleaners. In her small, beautiful ways, Sandra wanted everyone to feel seen and loved.

Another beautiful thing Sandra shared was her faith in Jesus Christ. She cherished her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sandra especially loved family history work and spent most of her professional career working as an accredited genealogist for the Church. She served in several callings in the Relief Society and Primary. She and Jack also served a mission in Johannesburg, South Africa, where they helped marginalized communities find work and start small businesses.

Most of all Sandra loved spending time with family and friends. They enjoyed camping and spending time outdoors on epic trips to Canyonlands, Moon Lake, Wagon Road Ridge, and other beautiful locations in Utah and the Mountain West.

Although Sandra shared her love quietly with her family and friends throughout her life, she shared it boldly in her last days, ensuring they all knew they were loved unconditionally.

Sandra is survived by her husband Jack Harvey Pitts, daughters Angela Brooks (Terry), Elizabeth Pitts, Laura Ricks (Steve), brother Dan Schettler (Birgit), five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 followed by a Celebration of Life reception from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Hilltop Ward chapel, 589 East 18th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84103.