Sandra Kay Burgin was born April 18, 1948 in Conrad, Montana, to Emery and Olive Burgin. She died in her home in the early morning hours of June 30, 2018. She was 70 years old.
The second oldest of four children, she loved to laugh, travel, boat, bowl and cook. She was married to Chuck McAlpine in 1966 and started her family in 1969 in Billings. Teri Kay was born in 1969, and James Cole in 1972.
In 1974, the family moved back to Cut Bank, where Sandi was a home maker, often helping at Burgin’s Cafe or Chuck’s Body Shop. She was very active in her kids’ lives, and spent her time taxiing them to their various events. Being raised by two chefs, Sandi loved to cook.
She had a wonderful meal on the table for her family each night, and always had enough for an army. She took in a few kids over the years, loving on them and treating them as her own. To this day, they still refer to her as mom.
Once her children were grown and on their own, she began a 20 year career as a 911 dispatcher for the Sheriff’s Department, retiring in 2013. In that time period, she had 5 grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. She showered them with love and affection.
In 2007, Sandi was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and was able to win that battle thanks to her passion for life and a strong, loving support system of family and friends. It was shortly after this time that she lost her mother Olive, and best friend since childhood, Lamar Larson. Mom didn’t know a stranger.
She had a smile for everyone and would often approach people just to make their day a little brighter. Some of the things her friends had to say about Sandi were: She was a kind soul, she had the quickest wit in the west, she was always a bright light even when she was feeling low, she was a corker, sweetheart, her laugh was contagious, her humor never ended, she spread so much love and kindness, she could always make you laugh, even if she was feeling down. Sandi is survived by her children, Teri Kay Whitesitt (Dave) of Three Forks, Montana, and James Cole McAlpine of Kalispell, Montana, her grandchildren John Collin Whitesitt, Sydney Kay Whitesitt, Olivia Ryanne Whitesitt, Asher Alan McAlpine and Matthieu James McAlpine.
She is also survived by her siblings, Nancy Hagen, Patrick Burgin, and Kathy Perrine, including many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emery and Olive Burgin. She visited Oregon in 2000, and after making a profession of faith, was baptized at Calvary Chapel.
Momma, you’ve had a long, hard battle, and it’s time to rest in God’s arms. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Montana Women Against Breast Cancer. Memorial services will be Monday, July 9, at 11;00 AM at Cut Bank First Presbyterian Church.
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