Sandra Jean Espinoza

   Sandra "Sandy" J. Espinoza went out to be in the universe on July 19, 2025. She was born on August 15th, 1953, in Harper, Kansas. Her parents, Roy and Adeline Wells passed away in July 1957 leaving behind Sandy, her older sister, Shirley, and younger brother, Richard. They lived with a maternal aunt and uncle before they came to New Mexico to be with another maternal aunt and uncle, Glenna and Nick Kotara, who later adopted Sandy and Richard. Living in a military household, Sandy went to 13 schools in 13 years and graduated from Ruidoso High School, Class of 1984.She married Eugene Kimura and after a few moves, they settled in Rio Rancho, New Mexico with their 3 sons who survive her: Michael (Gina Zirpel), Brian (Renae) and Daniel (Maralyn Ewers). Sandy’s proudest moment in her varied career was graduating from the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in 1971. She worked for UNM Police, Corrales Police and Sandoval County Sheriff's Department. Her career path was varied, working as a branch office administrator for an Edward Jones office, a background investigator for Sandia Casino gaming commission, principal's secretary at an elementary school, a clerk and court security for Rio Rancho Municipal Court and was an Evidence Tech for Rio Rancho Police Department when she retired. While working for the elementary school in Rio Rancho, she met her future husband, Carl Espinoza. They were married in 2013. She then inherited another son, Nathan (Michelle). Sandy has 7 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

Sandy’s service will be held at Riverside Funeral Home on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 2PM.

As per her final wish, a poem of her choosing will be read when her ashes are spread in Ruidoso.

Sandy wanted to thank all of those who took care of her and wanted to thank the people who are her friends for being her friend through the years.

She loved you all.