Sandra Orchard Oram

SANDRA J. ORAM IONA, ID -- Sandra Jean Orchard Oram, 35, of Iona, died December 12, 2004, at her home following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Sandra was born born May 5, 1969, in Provo, Utah, where her father had just graduated from Brigham Young University, to David Gene Orchard and Ardis Elaine Hodson Orchard. The family moved immediately to Marland, where Sandy grew up just outside of the Washington, D.C. area. She is the third oldest of 11 children. She graduated from the Frederick County School of Performing Arts as a voice major. Sandra originally came to Idaho in 1988 to attend Ricks College in Rexburg, where she received an Associates Degree in Spanish. After she completed a Spanish-speaking mission in Arcadia, California (June 1990 – December 1991), she returned to live and work in Idaho Falls. Prior to living in the Iona area, Sanra had lived in Taneytown and Walkersville, Maryland and New York City, New York. Sandra met her husband, Greg Oram, in April, 1994, just after he returned from his mission. They both attended the LDS Singles Ward, and began to date regularly that summer. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on December 14, 1995. They lived on Panorama Hill in the basement apartment of Sandy’s aunt and uncle, Ted and Joyce Orchard. In the spring of 1999, they found a home of their own in Iona, Idaho, where she had always enjoyed the closeness and warmth she felt from the surrounding community. She loved Iona and had a deep connection to the people in this great town. Sandra was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in numerous positions, including Relief Society Teacher, Primary Counselor, and Young Women’s President. She enjoyed music, reading, traveling, motorcycle rides with Greg, camping, hiking, and serving in her various church callings, especially working with the youth. Throughout her life Sandra has been challenged with her health. She battled Hodgkin’s Disease off and on since 1985. She most recently had a bone marrow transplant on December 30, 2003, with her brother, Orin, as her donor. Through her traisl she always maintained a good attitude and positive outlook on life. She loved and appreciated the relationships that she developed with friends and family. Sandra was an example to us all of the power of faith, courage, and perseverance. All that knew her will forever remember her as she made all of our lives brighter and fuller. Surviving are: Husband: Greg Oram, Iona, ID Father: David (Karen) Orchard, Frederick, MD Brother: Paul (Angie) Orchard, Villa Grove, IL Brother: Orin (Tiffany) Orchard, Otoe, NE Brother: Mark (Sharon) Orchard, Thurmont, MD Brother: Todd (April) Orchard, Rigby, ID Brother: Chad Orchard, Mt. Airy, MD Sister: Karen (Darren) Collins, Hanover, PA Brother: Rick (Amy) Orchard, Belleville, IL Sister: Linda (Dan) Rainey, Huntington Station, NY Brother: Joshua (Joan) Orchard, Greensboro, NC Brother: Kyle Orchard, Idaho Falls, ID Grandmother: Louise Hodson, Greensburg, PA She was preceded in death by her mother, Ardis Elaine Orchard. Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 17, 2004, at the Iona LDS Stake Center (Ririe Hwy and Iona North Rd.), with Bishop Kenneth Wrightson of the Iona 2nd Ward officiating. The family will meet with friends on Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon) and Friday for one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in Iona Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home East Side.