Sandra "Sandy" Lynn Bretall

Sandra Lynn “Sandy” Bretall, age 79, passed away peacefully in the company of family on Monday, November 6, 2023, at UC Health Highlands Ranch Hospital, CO. She was born October 21, 1944, in East Orange NJ to Alice R. and Peter E. Bessken. Sandy worked for the US Army as a civil servant for 28 years. She retired as Executive Officer to the Commander of the US Army in Ft Monmouth, NJ. She held various positions in Finance and received numerous medals and awards for her service. She was a graduate of the US Army Management Staff College “War School “and Ocean County College.

Sandy was an active member of the Eastern Star and held positions in the local Wall chapter as Worthy Matron and was inducted into the Grand Chapter in 1980 as Queen Esther.

She loved travel, nature, camping, boating and played Mah Jangg for 18 years. She was a devoted wife, mother, Nanna and friend.

Sandy married Robert L. "Bob” Bretall on December 21, 2013, in Littleton, CO. They met playing pickleball in Poinciana, Florida. Sandy and Bob are current residents of Heritage Eagle Bend in Aurora, CO and happily married for 10 years.

Sandra is survived by her brother, Richard Bessken, her two children Susan R Barbaro and John W Coryell and their spouses Mark Barbaro & Karri Coryell. Her stepdaughters Brenda Knutson and Jennifer Ortmann and their spouses Mark Knutson and John Ortmann. She was also Nanna to ten grandchildren and one great granddaughter: Nadine Vitenas, her spouse Jeffrey and daughter Audrey Lynn, Sabrina Tow, her spouse John “Jack” Tow, Kaitlin Coryell, Christian Coryell, Jacob Coryell, Berkeley Knutson, Carter Knutson, Chase Knutson, Gracie Ortmann & Allie Ortmann and a host of relatives and dear friends.

Sandra is preceded in death by her first husband C. R. Stephen “Steve” Coryell, Jr of 47 years who passed in 2010.

Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 9th at Saint Mathew’s Episcopal Church in Parker, Co at 3:30 pm. Please join us for her celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Shriners Children Hospital (https://donate.lovetotherescue.org)