Mrs. Sandra K Markham

June 2, 1956 - April 28, 2014

Sandra K. Markham passed away on April 28, 2014. She was known to family and friends as Sandi. Sandi was born June 2, 1956 in Albuquerque, N.M. Her parents were James Hart and Edith Frazier Hart. James was a high school teacher and Edith was a retired army nurse. Sandi developed allergies in New Mexico so her family moved to El Cajon, Calif. Sandi graduated from Grossmont High school as a straight 'A' student. Sandi went to business school where she trained to be a court stenographer. Her first court-reporting job was in Hanford, Calif. She became a partner in the Quilty, McNutt and Markham Court Reporting firm. Her husband, Arthur Tiernan Markham's first job after law school was as a Deputy District Attorney in Hanford, two years after Sandi got her job there. When Sandi and Arthur first met, he was wearing polyester and was a smoker; even so she was kind enough to date and then marry him on July 14, 1979. (One of the things that Arthur had going for him was that he had a cat. He gave up smoking cold turkey the first New Year's Eve after their marriage). Their first daughter Erin Allison Markham was born in Hanford in 1983. Both Sandra and Arthur enjoyed living in a small town. Arthur's Aunt Jonne and Uncle Dick Markham had moved to Prescott in 1962. Arthur had kept Prescott in mind as a nice small town to live in. Arthur took and passed the Arizona bar. In 1985, Sandi and Arthur's family moved to Prescott to enjoy small town life with the advantage of having extended family, which included aunts and uncles and many cousins. Both Sandi and Arthur quickly found jobs in Prescott. Sandi and Arthur's second daughter, Megan Lindsay Markham, was born in Prescott in 1986. Family was always first for Sandi. Sandi often expressed her pride and love for her daughters. In Arizona, Sandi worked 26 years as the official Court reporter for three Superior Court Judges until they each retired or were promoted: Judge James Sult, Judge Raymond Weaver, and Supreme Court Justice Robert Brutinel. For 10 years, she was the Chair of the Arizona Supreme Court's Arizona Board of Certified Reporters. She was also on the Supreme Court's Keeping the Record Committee and the Judicial Staff Education Committee. Sandi continued on with her education seeking a degree in Business Administration at Yavapai College and Old Dominion. In private life, Sandi was active in many areas. She donated many hours to the Prescott School Bands as a Band booster. She was on the Prescott PTA board, was Treasurer for the Arizona State PTA for many years and was on the Prescott YMCA Board of Trustees. Sandi has always been an avid gardener. The Saturday Farmers' market was also a cherished routine. She went for vigorous walks a few times each week with her ladies' walking group, all close friends. Sandi and Arthur loved to travel. Paris was their favorite city to visit. They, and Daphne Markham, were due to visit Paris next month to help celebrate Sandi's 58th birthday. When Justice Brutinel was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court, Sandi decided to retire as a Court Reporter. For an entire 6 weeks, she worked in the garden and cooked fine French meals. However, retirement was just not her thing. An opening occurred for the Clerk of the Yavapai County Superior Court. Arizona Governor Brewer appointed Sandi as the Clerk of the Yavapai County Superior Court in May 2011. Sandi put her entire effort into her position as the Clerk and was set to run for a new four-year term. Sandi in this capacity stayed active on the State level as well. She was recently appointed to be on the Supreme Court's Time Standards Committee as well as a Committee to deal with reporting criminal convictions to the State and Federal data base systems. She also represented Yavapai County on the Arizona Association of Counties' Board of Directors. Sandi is survived by her husband Arthur; daughters, Erin and Megan; and her extended family, including her best friends Mary Ann Markham and Daphne Markham. On May 10, 2014 at 11 a.m., a celebration of Sandi's life will take place at the Prescott High School Ruth Street Theater located in the Prescott High School Arts Center, 1050 Ruth St. Sandi's family invites all those who knew and loved her from her many facets of life to come to participate. Please bring a copy of your favorite picture of Sandi to the service. They will be displayed for others to enjoy. It would be appreciated if the family could keep these photos. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to either the Prescott Unified School District earmarked for the bands, 146 S. Granite St. Prescott AZ 86303, or to the Prescott YMCA, 750 W. Whipple St. Prescott AZ 86301.