Sandra Beatty was born to Orville Beatty and Mildred Waterhouse in September of 1943. She was their fifth child. Sandra had a total of seven siblings. Her two brothers and five sisters were her best friends and whole world. She attended Eureka highschool and in Eureka is where she met the love of her life, Calvin.

They married in 1961 and had three children over the course of their lifelong marriage. While Calvin spent his career as a merchant marine Sandra single handedly raised her children and attended College of the Redwoods nursing program in the early 1970s. Her nursing career was spent in the OB ward at General Hospital and in the office of Dr. Schmidt, of Eureka.

While in the nursing program she met her life long friend, fellow student, Frances Cortopassi. The two played Scrabble on a regular basis over the years and both could be found most times at Harbor Lanes on numerous bowling leagues. Sandra’s mother bowled as well, so HB certainly was a large community of friends.

At home she was a lifelong artist filling stacks of sketchbooks and painting still life depictions of her pets and rose garden. She curated her rose garden in her backyard of Long Street where she hosted huge family gatherings, holidays and birthdays for many decades.

It was at Long Street that she opened The Cox Family Care Home hand in hand with Redwood Coast Regional Center (RCRC) and Humboldt Community Access and Resource Center (HCAR). Her passion was caring for and teaching life skills in a home environment to community members with developmental disabilities helping them to lead more independent lives. She loved those that spent time in her home and celebrated every victory with each one.

In retirement she and Calvin toured the Country visiting their siblings and grandchildren along the way. Hers was a life well lived and well loved.

Sandra is survived by her brother Tom Waterhouse and wife Maureen, her Sister Judy Cox, her children Erik Cox and Amy Cox (Robert) along with her grandchildren Arielle, Brigid, Fillip, Samantha and Zack. She is mourned by numerous nieces, nephews, neighborhood kids and family friends that adored Aunt Sandy.

A memorial service in her honor will be held on May 3, at 11 a.m., at Wier’s Mortuary, 408 G Street, Crescent City. All are welcome.

In lieu of sending flowers please consider making a donation in her name to HCAR which is a non profit organization. Their website is hcarcenter.org. Donations can be made under the “support HCAR” heading. Consider becoming a member and supporting local community. Donations can also be mailed to their address at

1707 E Street, Ste 2
Eureka, California

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Sandra Cox’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.