Norma Dean Sandlin, known fondly as “Dean”, age 85, went to be with her Lord on December 11, 2014 in Richland, Washington. Dean was born on October 20, 1929, in Ranger, Texas and was the second child of Bun and Alta Bush. Dean and her sister Margie grew up in Texas and Oklahoma where Mr. Bush worked as a heavy equipment operator in construction and industrial excavation projects. The family settled in Henryetta, Oklahoma for Dean’s high school years where she met the love of her life, Lindy Sandlin. Dean and Lindy were married May 15, 1948 and promptly traveled to Richland arriving just in time for a major dust storm as they moved into their new two bedroom pre-fab house on Sanford Street. Lindy worked as a timekeeper at Hanford and Dean worked as well to support their new life together.  

Over the years, the family grew to include three sons Steven Lindy Sandlin (Beth), Norm Sandlin (Julene), Don Sandlin and one daughter, Beverly Dean Sandlin DuBree (Frank).  Lindy’s career advanced with General Electric at Hanford and in 1968, the family moved to Toms River, New Jersey followed by transfers to San Jose, CA, Knoxville, TN and Melbourne, Australia. With each move, Dean was the steady-hand to make each new location a home for the entire family with a mother’s love and care… and great southern cooking.  Dean and Lindy returned to Richland in 1990, built their dream home on the Columbia River, and filled the house with family and friends.  Many happy memories were made over the years with mom hosting Sunday school parties and many family gatherings. 

Dean was a member of the Richland First Church of the Nazarene.   Mom loved her family, her church family and her friends.   She had a warm, loving and generous heart and often delivered special baskets to show her love.  When her life of running errands for construction projects slowed down, her love of knitting emerged again and she loved making and giving prayer shawls for those who needed comforting.

Dean is survived by her sister Margie Rodgers, three children, six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and her extended family and friends who love her very much.

She is preceded in death by her mother, father, husband and oldest son.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, December 19, 2014 at Richland First Church of the Nazarene.  Now, gone to be with Lindy and other family and friends in heaven, Dean leaves behind a legacy of faith, love and devotion.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Richland Nazarene or Pasco Nazarene church building fund.