Sandra A. Mountcastle

Sandra Alyne Mountcastle, lovingly known as "Gram," passed away on June 26, 2026, at the age of 86.

Sandra was born in Montgomery, Alabama, to Wilma Bell Hancock and Louis Littleton Mountcastle. She grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, as the youngest child and only daughter in her family. Some of her favorite memories were of spending summers on the family farm with her cousins. Those childhood friendships lasted a lifetime, and they faithfully kept in touch over the years by writing letters to one another.

While attending St. Petersburg High School, Sandra began working in a medical clinic during her junior year. That experience sparked a passion for nursing that would become her life's work. After graduating, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert, and began nursing school at St. Petersburg Junior College. She stepped away from school to raise her two daughters, always believing that once you choose to bring children into the world, they come first. Later, she returned to school, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University.

Sandra's nursing career reflected her honorable work ethic. She opened her own surgery center in Florida before accepting an opportunity to help open a hospital in Saudi Arabia, where she met her second husband, AJ. Eventually, she made her home in Utah, where she spent twenty years working in the operating rooms at Huntsman Cancer Institute. She loved teaching others, especially helping train new nurses in the operating room, sharing the knowledge she had gained through decades of experience.

When she wasn't working, Sandra stayed busy doing the things she loved. She was an adventurous sailor whose favorite place to sail was on the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast, and one of her favorite adventures was sailing to Cuba. She enjoyed yoga and believed the best way to be in God’s presence was in the outdoors. Some of her favorite hiking adventures included hiking portions of the Appalachian Trail and the Grand Canyon.

She also loved dogs and always seemed to have at least two running around the house. In her younger adult years, Sandra bred Jack Russel Terriers in Florida.

Sandra also had a lifelong love of knitting. Family and friends were often the lucky recipients of her blankets, baby clothes, stuffed animals, and especially her hand-knit socks, which became something of her trademark.

Anyone who knew Sandra would describe her as funny, fiery, hardworking, and generous. She set high expectations for herself and expected those around her to do their best. She taught wherever she went—whether in the operating room, at a knitting class, or simply over a conversation. She offered advice freely, led by example, and genuinely wanted others to succeed.

She once said she hoped to be remembered for her work ethic, for giving her children and grandchildren a good start in life, and for living her own life to the fullest. Anyone who knew her would say she did exactly that.

Sandra is survived by her daughters, Robin Parke and Catherine Johansen (Aaron); her grandchildren, Riama DeLuca, Shore Johansen (Yvonne), and Sarina Morley (Quinton); and her great-grandchildren, Emerald and Amira.

She leaves behind a family who will miss her deeply, a lifetime of lessons that will continue to guide them, and countless memories of adventures, laughter, determination, and love.

If Gram could leave one final piece of advice, it would probably be to work hard, take care of your family, treat people the way you'd want to be treated, and don't forget to enjoy the adventure along the way.

A celebration of Sandra's life will be held in August. Additional details will be shared with family and friends as they become available.