Sherrie Ann "Sassy" Sanders, 64

I was born May 3, 1960, in Butte to Joseph and Patricia Sanders, joining my sister, Jo Lynn. My brothers Delbert and Patrick followed.

I went to Hawthorne grade school before moving to Whitehall, where I graduated in 1978.

At a young age, I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Later in life, I was diagnosed with Scleroderma.

I joined the US Army in 1982 and was medically discharged in 1985. While in the US Army, I was a personnel records specialist and received recognition several times for a job well done.

In 1983, I married Steve Parko. We divorced, but we remained close friends.

I worked many jobs throughout my life, but the most gratifying job was working for the Montana Veterans Affairs, ensuring veterans, widowers, and dependents received their VA benefits.

After September 11, my mother and I went to NYC to see Ground Zero; we were astonished by the destruction that had happened. Another vacation I took was to Mazatlán, Mexico, where the food and weather were amazing.

For several years, I was blessed with the opportunity to babysit my niece and great nieces and nephews. I learned from them, and we had a lot of fun. A sign in my front window said, "What happens at Sassy's stays at Sassy's."

I have been called Sassy for many years, so at the age of 59, I had it legally changed. It was a very happy day.

My father and brother, Delbert, preceded me in death, as did my maternal grandparents, Carl and Theresa Sanchez, and Delbert and Hazel Sanders.

Surviving me are my mother, Patricia Sanders, sister Jo Lynn and Jerry Fleege, and Patrick and Sharon Sanders. Nieces and Nephew Sunvee and Ozzie Rosenleaf (Joby, Jerek), Bobbie Fleege, Jeremy and Carlie Fleege (Kylie, Aubrey, Cameron, Alex, Bryce), and Jenna Sanders (Leo)

There will be no services but a celebration of life at a later date.