SANDRIA H. SWAYZE FAUBION

July 28, 1937 - September 3, 2024

Devoted mother, wife, sister and friend, Sandria H. Swayze Faubion died on September 3, 2024, after a brief illness. Sandria was born in Albuquerque, NM, the daughter of Sojourner and Mildred Erlene (McQuistian) Swayze, on July 28, 1937. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Merle Leon Faubion; her two children, Renee Faubion (Albuquerque) and Michael Faubion (Edinburg, Tx); three grandchildren, Erik Faubion, William Faubion and Noel Faubion and two sisters, Neola Kay Bollman of Branson, MO and Karen Sue Ferrell (Don) of Phoenix, AZ. She was also close to her loving niece, Jennifer LoPresto (Kevin) and her children; as well as to her decades-long best friend, Mandy Krystofiak and Mandy's son Jimi and his family.

Sandie grew up in Albuquerque with brief stints as a child in Seattle and Salt Lake City. She married First Lieutenant Leon Faubion in 1958. Despite her renegade ways she became a dedicated military wife for the next 30 years, moving to various postings and raising two children. She especially enjoyed her husband’s assignments in Hawaii and Washington State. When Sandie’s husband retired from the military in 1987 the couple returned to Albuquerque where she spent her remaining decades with family and friends. Sandie was a nurturer who was always there for those she loved. She was smart, feisty and fearless while often becoming engrossed in public issues of the day. She loved football and tennis, indeed she was a tennis coach at a local high school for several years after returning to Albuquerque. She also enjoyed Chivas on the rocks, coffee with lots of sweetened creamer and British police dramas. But most of all she adored her family and friends; no one was more supportive and more loving and no one was more fun. We are trying hard to get used to what the days are going to be like without her. She was a loving, indomitable presence; we will miss her every day. A memorial service will be celebrated for her later in the year.