OBITUARY

Sandra “Sandy” Lee Byrd, of Superior, Arizona passed away on March 8th, 2023, at the age of 80. She was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on August 11th, 1942, to John Harry Sr and Francis Elaine Bergman. She moved to Arizona at the age of 16, where she graduated from Scottsdale High School and then Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Soon after she moved to the small mining town of Superior, Arizona where she taught in the Superior School District for a total of 37 years. In 1972 she married the love of her life William “Jack” Jackson Byrd in Superior, Arizona which they fondly referred to as the “Pearl of the Pinals.” He preceded her in death in October 2020 in which they were married for 48 Years. She always felt a sigh of relief coming over Gonzales Pass and seeing the little town she loved tucked into the mountain below Apache Leap and would say “it’s good to be home.” She had a love for owls and was an avid owl collector, even raising two injured great horned owls. She had many hobbies which included arts and crafts as well as cooking, baking, gardening, and quilting, and enjoyed going camping, hunting, and fishing with her family in the White Mountains. She was the kind of woman who could do everything and do it well. She is survived by her three daughters Susan J. Byrd, Carol M. Soto (Hector), and Amy J. Byrd (Curtis). She is also survived by her siblings Kaye Francis Burnham (Bill), Gretchen Ann Nehrling (Michael), and John Harry Bergman Jr (Tracy). Her grandchildren Alejandro I. Soto and Aliyah D. Soto the joys of her heart. Also surviving her are several nieces and nephews. As per her wishes, no funeral service will be planned. She requested if anyone wishes to do something, to tell them my wish is for them to go on a family outing or picnic and enjoy their time together.