Ethel Maye Sandos-Skripko

Our beloved, strong, and steadfast, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister, and
friend Ethel Mae Sandos-Skripko went to be with her Lord on July 21, 2021, at the age of 92.
Ethel was born on August 31, 1929, in Guion, Arkansas to William and Flossie McCance. The
fourth of 15 children, she became and held the matriarch of her family from age six when her
mother passed away during childbirth. Ever starting over, Ethel moved to Kansas at age 14 and
then to Denver to work as part of the war effort making planes and parts. In 2017, her
experiences were cataloged and archived as part of the Smithsonian Museum's "The Rosie
Project."

After a late shift working for the war effort at Gates Rubber Factory, she caught the eye of her
audacious husband Manuel "Sam" Sandos. Enamored at first sight, Sam was persistent and the
revolutionary pair were married in 1947. They shared 40 remarkable years, ten children, and 15
foster children until Sam passed. Ethel remarried in 1993 to William Skripko.

After the war, Ethel began her 32 year tenure at King Soopers hired directly from Lloyd King.
She helped to open all of the original King Soopers stores. Ethel prided herself in her career
with King Soopers and was the longest tenured employee at the time of her retirement.

Ethel also remained politically active and involved in countless civic organizations until her
death. From picking cotton in Arkansas to fighting for labor unions in Denver, Ethel was
tenacious in supporting the rights of people and was heavily involved in the local and national
Democratic party. Her influences advised some of Denver's most prominent past and current
political movements and figures. She and her husband Sam founded the Sam Sandos
Christmas Baskets Program, the Hispanic Annual Salute, and were monumental in the
Ancianos organization, and the National Youth Sports Program.

Ethel was a devout Catholic woman involved in numerous ministries. She led the Cursillo
movement, established the Catholic Youth Recreation Association- Baseball, and was fervent in
putting 'Granny's Angels' every need on the prayer chain.

Countless noted Ethel as "stunning" with her sparkling blue eyes and always dressed to
perfection. Waking up at 5 am every day, she would say, "if I take care of myself for the day, I
can take care of everything else that comes my way." She would dress her young family in
matching suits for Sunday mass and was known to keep you in line with her go-go-gadget
hands: waiting to discard your gum, or to lift you up with one hand and hit your butt with the fly
swatter with the other. With great common sense, she had no problem letting you know the truth
of how things were. Even so, she never spoke poorly of anyone.

Ethel was a wizard in many ways. On the hill, she had a knack for penny slots, often winning big
jackpots to the astonishment of family and close friends. In downtime, she loved watching her
daily soaps and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, and was a wiz with up-to-date political knowledge
and facts on the Broncos. In the kitchen, she cooked Southern dishes like biscuits and
chocolate gravy and mastered the Mexican favorites of pozole and chili. She could make a meal
for four grow to feed 15 in the blink of an eye and won every chili competition she entered as
"the only anglo there." Her giving nature began in the kitchen as she repeated FHB, family hold
back, until every guest was served.

Ethel's most treasured things in life were her family and giving. She was wildly proud of her
family: always heckling umpires at games, showing off her kids' trophies, and standing by every
success big and small. Her definition of "family" always made room for more at the table;
countless were added through marriage, church, and the community who felt like they were one
of her own. Ethel's giving spirit knew no bounds for family and strangers alike. She would cook
dinner, clean houses, and always dig in to make sure everyone was loved and cared for.

She was a moral clock to all teaching "the 6 R's": Reading, wRiting aRithmetic, Respect for how
you walk in life, Responsibility to make your community better, and Religious beliefs in a greater
power to share love and healing for all people. Her legacy passes on through her family in
emulating her giving spirit and welcoming heart. No matter who someone is, where they come
from, what they have done, or how they choose to live, you stand by them, always leaving the
door open to everyone. Everyone.

Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, seven sisters, her late husband Sam,
infant son Thomas, and grandson Justin. She is survived by her two sisters Billie and Catherine;
nine dynamic children, daughter Sherry (Victor), daughter Sandy (Tony), son Michael, son David
(Bruce), son Paul (Crystal), son Tim (Tamara), son Dan (Lisa), son Pat (Jean), and son Sean
(Gloria); 31 grandchildren and their partners and 19 great-grandchildren; husband Bill, and
many nieces and nephews.

We would like to express our gratitude to the team of hospice nurses including Rebecca and
Nora at Bristol Hospice who cared for Ethel in her last weeks. Her daughters Sherry and Sandy,
son Pat, children-in-law Victor and Lisa C, grandchildren Sandy, Michelle, Tyler, Megan, Karli,
and Alicia who assisted in the day-to-day comfort and care in her final days. As well as, the Ortiz
family and Cathy who stayed prayerfully by her side.

Ethel was fiercely loved. The passing of her life will be deeply felt and missed. None of us would
be here without you, Gran. Thank you.

A Visitation will be held on August 17, 6pm - 7pm, followed by a Rosary service at 7pm, both at Newcomer West Metro Chapel.
A funeral mass will be held on August 18 at 10am at All Saints Catholic Church.
She will be laid to rest at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Sam Sandos Christmas Basket Program (P.O.
Box 370945, Denver, CO 80237-0945, or at www.samsandoschristmasbaskets.com).