Sandra Whitehead Dyer

Jan 27, 1937  –  April 18, 2025

Sandra Whitehead Dyer departed this life peacefully on April 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family in her home.  A Seattle native, Sandra Joan Whitehead was born on January 27, 1937.  She was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt, colleague, and friend, known for her warmth, humor, leadership, and unwavering devotion to her family and community.

Born and raised in Seattle, Sandra was one of five siblings.  She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1955 and paid for her own education at the University of Washington where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.  Sandra graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1959 and spent a year teaching at a Nursing School in New York City.  After returning to Seattle, she started dating, and married, the love of her life, Peter Sinclair Dyer on November 17^th, 1962.  Together they had 2 children, multiple pets, fun adventures, and created a wonderful life.  They spent family time together skiing, hiking, traveling, on the golf course, and playing dominos.

Sandra dedicated much of her life to nursing; she worked in the OR and ER at Swedish Hospital; then the Health Department of Bellevue, WA; and as a school nurse in the Bellevue School District, including Bellevue High where both of her children attended.  She was fondly known as “Nursey” or “Nurse Dyer.”  In 1987, she earned her Master of Education with a focus on drug and alcohol addiction at Seattle University.  Upon graduating, she returned to the Bellevue School District as the Nursing Administrator of multiple health-centered programs at the school district, including the peer-to-peer program she implemented known as “Natural Helpers”.  Sandy touched the lives of countless students, educating them about drugs & alcohol, as well as safe sex.  Her colleagues admired her dedication and passion for her work, and she was always ready to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, or host a brunch or luncheon.

A devoted University of Washington Huskies fan, Sandra loved attending the Dawgs football games.  She and Peter were major donors to the UW Athletics Program as well as the UW School of Nursing.  She was very dedicated as a Kappa Delta Alum, was a National President, and earned many awards and recognitions.  Sandra was also quite active in the Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic for almost 30 years, holding multiple leadership positions within the organization, including President.  Other NFP’s to which she donated her time and support during her adult life included Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Secret Harbor School & Foster Care Resources, and the Seattle Symphony.

In retirement, Sandra enjoyed golfing, gardening, mahjong, traveling, and spending time with her five grandchildren, whom she adored. She loved living six months of the year in La Quinta, CA and had an amazing community of close friends throughout the Coachella Valley.  Sandra was an avid reader, gardener, and a talented cook.  She loved to entertain and was famous for her fabulous meals and family gatherings.  Sandra also discovered her admiration for depression glass and became quite involved with both the Heisey Clubs of California and The Northwest, as well as being a Board member of the Heisey Museum in Newark, Ohio.

Sandra is survived by her children, Elizabeth Dyer Tommasino (Salvatore) and Charles Garret Dyer (Janine); her grandchildren, Alexander Tommasino, Charlotte Dyer, Addison Dyer, Matthew Dyer, and Samantha Tommasino.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Sinclair Dyer (2010,) her parents George Mark and June Gillum Whitehead, as well as all her siblings, Jim Whitehead, David Whitehead, Michael Whitehead, and Katherine Whitehead Lieseke.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Sandra’s life will be held June 13th at 2:00 PM at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, WA followed by a Celebratory Reception at Overlake Golf & Country Club.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Kappa Delta for the newly established Sandra Whitehead Dyer Memorial Scholarship.

https://donate.kappadelta.org/fund?name=sandra-whitehead-dyer-memorial-scholarship#

Sandra will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of love, tenacity, and dedication will live on in the hearts of those she touched.  She lived life to the fullest and on her own terms.  Now, Sandra and Peter are reunited.