Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Sandra Sue Smith
Sandra Sue Smith
Obituaries
By News Staff, on March 1, 2023
Sandra Sue Smith

July 11, 1944-Feb. 19, 2023

Sandra Sue Smith, was born in Aurora, Colorado on July 11th, 1944. She graduated from Granby, Colorado, then married Thomas Tucker in September 29, 1962. She had her 1st born son, Shane Tucker, he was born in September 29, 1963. Followed by his sister Cassy Tucker on October 31, 1966. They moved from Fraser, Colorado to Ouray, Colorado in 1972, where she found employment at Duckett’s Market for the following 16 years. That was followed by opening her home to daycare for many of the county’s growing population to whom she became a mother-like figure. In the following years she closed her home as she sought employment at Wolf Creek Cattle Company, where she retired in 2004.

After the passing of her husband Thomas Tucker, she moved to Aztec, New Mexico. She attended a high school reunion in 2004. She met an old high school acquaintance, Fred Smith, and shortly after they got married in 2005 and then for the next 17 years they enjoyed many travels, fishing and camping as well as their children and their grandchildren and followed by many great grandchildren. In her life she made many cherished friends and loved ones, her life was a life full of love and happiness, which was her wish, for her and her family. She passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 11:56 a.m. surrounded by her loved ones per her wishes in her home.

‘Big box’ tightens on Gold Mountain Fire
Main
‘Big box’ tightens on Gold Mountain Fire
Aided by cooler temps, rain, firefighters increase containment to 24%
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
July 22, 2026
Surveying a sprawling map of the northern San Juans last week, Mike Smith was deep in a geometry of fire. Fingers tracing fire lines and ridges, Smith – the current incident commander over Gold Mounta...
this is a test
County eyes recovery funds
Main
County eyes recovery funds
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 22, 2026
Federal program could offer nearly $3 million — if cash-poor leaders can find matching dollars Ouray County could receive nearly $3 million in federal funding to protect homes, roads and other infrast...
this is a test
Aided by cooler temps, rain, firefighters increase containment to 24%
Main, News...
Aided by cooler temps, rain, firefighters increase containment to 24%
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
July 22, 2026
Surveying a sprawling map of the northern San Juans last week, Mike Smith was deep in a geometry of fire. Fingers tracing fire lines and ridges, Smith – the current incident commander over Gold Mounta...
this is a test
Spring targeted for tree-thinning effort
News
Spring targeted for tree-thinning effort
Without additional funding, original scope for Ouray-area project may reduced
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
July 22, 2026
A joint wildfire mitigation effort to remove dead or diseased trees from the city of Ouray’s perimeter is expected to move forward next spring, though with a potentially more limited scope. Officials ...
this is a test
News
City reorganizes planning department
Administrator ditches director post, divides duties among consultant, staff
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 22, 2026
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer is overhauling the city’s community development department, dividing responsibilities among a third-party consultant and two city employees rather than consol...
this is a test
News
60 Years Ago
50 Years Ago
July 22, 2026
July 21, 1966 Discussions under way for a period of two months took shape this week in the filing of articles of incorporation for the Ouray College Association. Named as the board of trustees in the ...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
News
Local Briefs
Ouray County Fair still on schedule
July 22, 2026
The 109th annual Ouray County Fair is scheduled to proceed as planned, even if the fairgrounds remain the headquarters for the Gold Mountain Fire operations. The fair is scheduled from Aug. 13-15 at t...
this is a test
Ride-along reveals value of alpine ranger program
News
GUEST COLUMN
Ride-along reveals value of alpine ranger program
By Sue Dreamweaver Spielman 
July 22, 2026
I'm not a Jeep enthusiast or an off-highway vehicle user, but I am a hiker and photographer who cares deeply about our high-country environment. After recent discussions at county commissioners' meeti...
this is a test
Toth seeks to grow Wright Opera House’s appeal
News
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS
Toth seeks to grow Wright Opera House’s appeal
By By Chloe Kiparsky Special to the Plaindealer 
July 22, 2026
When Heather Toth moved to Ouray County in 2013, her first question was, “Where’s the theater; where’s the art space?” The arts are a necessity, not a luxury, according to Toth. She values third space...
this is a test
Send us your celebrations!
News
Send us your celebrations!
July 22, 2026
The “Good For You!” page is a place for reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Want to submit a photo for publication? Here are some guidelines for submissions: - This ...
this is a test
Charles ‘CJ’ John Turner
Obituaries
Charles ‘CJ’ John Turner
July 22, 2026
August 27, 1960 – July 7, 2026 Born Charles John Turner on August 27, 1960, in Nashua, NH, CJ “Turbo” Turner comes full circle to rest beside his beloved Mother, Joanne Turner. CJ was one of a kind, r...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy