Remembering Sandra L. Adams, 1938-2022

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather in November to celebrate the life of Sandra Lynne “Sandy” Adams. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with her community now:

Good things come in small packages, they say. And on freezing cold Wednesday, February 9, 1938, something especially good arrived. Sandra Lynne Chase entered the world in Butte, MT, and began 84 years of delighting, supporting and celebrating people.

Sandy loved West Seattle, and West Seattle loved her. It was her hometown, where she went to school, and where she would settle with her soul mate and husband, Jim Guenther.

Sandy loved people and people were inspired by it. She helped promote and manage innovations at Boeing, then working with Tom Forsythe of the King County Council, and as Deputy Director of King County Public Works. One example: she took an active role in transforming Johnson Pit 30, a former quarry, into a world-recognized art and recreation space.

West Seattle held her heart, and she served the community in many ways, including the West Seattle Chamber, leading the West Seattle Flower Show, and helping ArtsWest Theater become a nationally respected catalyst for new talent and stories.

Sandy was appreciated including recognition by Southwest Youth and Families and as Volunteer Extraordinaire of the theater. She shied away from credit , preferring that energies go into building community. She requested that any donations in her name go to the Resurgence Capital Program at ArtsWest.

She will especially be missed by her large family, including husband Jim Guenther, children Kurt (Deb), Kelly (Katie), and Gayla, and by her five grandchildren and also by the many interns she mentored over the years. Sandy’s smile will forever be missed around the family dinner table where she enjoyed so much life and love and playing Mexican Train.

Her Celebration of Life will be at 3 pm November 5th at ArtsWest.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Judy September 15, 2022 (10:21 am)

What a loss for many but especially our community. We would not be enjoying ArtsWest without her energy to get it going and to keep it going. And she seemed to attend everything. I am so thankful that she gifted us for so many years and used those years so wisely.

Vanessa September 15, 2022 (2:17 pm)

What a gem. R.I.P.

Clay Eals September 15, 2022 (2:47 pm)

ArtsWest could have no more consistent and enthusiastic promoter than Sandy Adams. As a volunteer, she was the very definition of dedication.

Cindi Barker September 15, 2022 (9:57 pm)

Sandy was a true gem for West Seattle and her energy and positive attitude made all sorts of things happen. She was truely passionate about community and the arts and wanted to share and create a sense of connections. If you worked with her at all, you loved her and were amazed by her. She will be truely missed

Elyse September 16, 2022 (6:33 pm)

I was fortunate enough to be Sandy’s neighbor. She was such a wonderful person and instrumental in creating a strong community and adding to its vibrancy. She’ll be greatly missed.

Anna September 17, 2022 (8:28 am)

So very sorry to hear this news- Sandy was a lovely person and always a pleasure to see around WS. She will be missed.

Elaine September 18, 2022 (10:23 am)

Sandy carried herself thru life with grace, style and spunk. She was a shining example of enriching lives by getting involved and encouraging others to do so too. No sitting on the sidelines for this woman, and her life was rich with her love of family and community. Quite an inspiration. Her presence, generosity, energy and quick smile will be missed by countless folks who were lucky to know her.