Sandra Ann Gwin

Sandra Ann (Adams) Gwin, 84, of Montrose, CO, passed away on March 15, 2025. 

She was born in Montrose May 10, 1940, to Daily Press Publisher, Charles E. Adams, Jr. and Alma L. (Thornton) Adams. 

Sandra’s early years were spent moving around the country. After her first year in Montrose, her dad sold the Daily Press to join the Army and moved the family to Virginia. After the war they moved to Salt Lake City, Denver, Grand Junction and finally back to Montrose, where her dad opened Adams Office Supply. Moving around gave her a joy of travel, history and seeing new places. 

It was in Montrose at the age of 14 where she met Chuck Gwin, the love of her life and future husband of 62 years. Sandra was a graduate of Montrose High School and attended one year of college at Augustana College in Illinois. She returned to Montrose to marry Chuck and together they raised 4 children. Her husband’s career took Sandra and her family to Durango, Montrose and then to Utah, finally returning to Montrose after they retired. 

Sandra helped support the family by working in various positions including working as a bank teller and bookkeeper. She was always a kind and supportive mother to her children and a valuable partner to her husband. Chuck and Sandra loved to spend time with each other, loved to dance together and were each other’s best friend. They shared an irreverent sense of humor and teased each other constantly. For no apparent reason, Chuck often referred to Sandra by the name Martha, to which she always answered, and she could always be heard feigning disapproval as she hollered “oh Chuck!” 

Sandra loved to travel, especially to places with historical significance. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was proud to have had three ancestors sign the Declaration Of Independence. She was equally proud to have been a direct descendant of William Bradford, framer of the Mayflower Compact and first governor of Plymouth Colony. 

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Alma Adams, her husband, Chuck Gwin, and her son, Eric Gwin. She is survived by her sons, Mark Gwin (Liz) of Gering, NE, Gary Gwin (Alisa) of Cheyenne, WY, her daughter Kathy Erickson (Eric) of Montrose, her cousin, Kent Thornton of Boulder, CO, 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and a number of close friends. 

There will be a graveside service at 1:30 pm Sunday, March 23 at Grandview Cemetery in Montrose, CO.