Sandi Mortimer Cockrell

Sandi Cockrell passed away peacefully at her home in Rochester on October 24, 2024 with her family at her side, following a short illness.  She was 75.She was born in Lancaster, California in 1949 to parents George Kelley and Ethel Morris, and she married her childhood sweetheart, Richard Pruitt.  They had four children, with their relationship ending in divorce.  

Sandi’s career included working in construction of the B-1 and B-2 bombers for the Northrup Corporation, bookkeeper and later, as a caregiver in the Olympia area for over a decade on behalf of Catholic Community Services.

She met and married Nick Cockrell in 1999, and they made their home in Rochester.  She assisted Nick in forming the Washington State Livestock Coalition to provide training and advocacy for livestock owners in the area and with her husband, initiated the formation of the Oakville Regional Event Center in nearby Grays Harbor County to maintain a location for amateur equestrian activities. 

Horses were her passion, and at age 60 she began training for equestrian competition, riding her Arabian horses in Western Pleasure, English Pleasure and Saddleseat disciplines.  She shared what she loved with her family, neighbors and members of the equestrian community.  Her joy included breeding and caring for Australian Shepherds as well as drawing and sketching, taxidermy and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dennis Morris.  Sandi is survived by her husband, Nick Cockrell of Rochester; daughters Kim Auten of Lebanon, Oregon; Rhonda Tudor of Olympia, Washington; Racheal Van Dyke of Eagle Point, Oregon and son James Richard Pruitt of Sacramento, California; brothers Allen Morris of Mojave, California and Kelley Morris of Chiloquin, Oregon; as well as eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  

Her gracious personality, humor and empathy will be missed by her family and friends.  A memorial service will be conducted by the family during the Spring or Summer in Southern Oregon near where Sandi enjoyed time along the Rogue River.  

The family wishes to thank Assured Hospice for the care and assistance provided to Sandi during her passing.  

In lieu of flowers or other reflections of her memory,  please plant a tree that will continue to flourish.