Sandra Ruth Budny

Sandra Ruth “Sandi” Budny passed peacefully on March 21st, 2024, in Grand Junction, Colorado
surrounded by the love of family with her husband Ted and daughter Hayley by her side. Born to
William and Jeanne Gipson on March 6th, 1956, she had five siblings, Aloma, Lonnie, Larry, Fred,
and Vicki. Sandi's life was a rich canvas of experience, adversity, wisdom, and faith.

With a strong work ethic from a very young age, Sandi held many interesting jobs including
working in a candle shop, as a bookkeeper, running programs for adults with intellectual
disabilities, school cafeteria cook, and many years off and on as a waitress. Friends and family
look back humorously on the time she climbed the greased pole at Donkey Derby Days in her
waitress uniform to get the $20 bill at the top!

On July 15th, 1975, she married Jay Bielz in Cripple Creek, and on November 15th, 1978 they
welcomed their one and only daughter, Hayley into the world with joy. Tragically, Jay passed
from this earth on March 23rd, 1979. Sandi continued to raise her daughter with strength,
devotion, and gratitude for the support of dear family and friends.

On August 19th of 1989, Sandi married Theodore “Ted” Budny after a loving relationship
blossomed from years of friendship. She moved with Hayley to Paonia, Colorado with Ted and
they built a beautiful home together on several acres at the base of Mt. Lamborn. Together, Ted
and Sandi enjoyed fishing, hunting, and working to make their place truly a home.

Sandi, always a lover of animals, found great joy in raising every orphaned animal from kittens,
to bum lambs, often taking them in the house with her to give them the best chance. She also
had the opportunity to work on her art, painting and creating in her sunlit art studio space and
taking classes. In other free time, she appreciated gardening and canning her goods, crocheting,
and quilting. She handmade beautiful baby blankets for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren,
and others she cared for.

Sandi was a quick and lifelong friend to many. She had an incredible way about her that
encouraged people to open up and feel loved and supported without judgment. While parting
this world too young, she lived a lifetime of experiences that made her sensible and those close
to her often sought her advice, comforted by her empathy and wisdom.

Sandi's memory is honored by her devoted husband Ted, daughter Hayley; Hayley’s children,
Tara, Megan, Ethan, and Brooke; and Sandi’s great-grandchildren, Aiden, Amira, and Madelyn.
Her sisters Aloma and Vicki, along with a community of family and friends, also survived her. A
small, intimate service is being planned to celebrate Sandi’s life and will be held this summer.

Sandi Ruth Budny’s life was a melody of endless love, perseverance, and creativity —a song that
will resonate in the hearts of those she touched forever