Alexandrina “Sandy” Weller, 79, passed peacefully with the rising sun in Missoula, Mont., on Sunday, June 9, 2024, surrounded by the warmth of her favorite music and the love of her children as they held her dearly. Born to the late Douglas and Janet Hawthorne on July 20, 1944, in the area of Inveresk, Scotland, Sandy was passionately proud of her Scottish heritage and the unconditional love for her siblings and family was her foundation.

Sandy enlisted in the Royal Air Force at the completion of her secondary education and proudly became a hospice nurse providing comfort and care to injured British soldiers. During this time, Sandy married Arthur P. Dammarell, who was stationed as a U.S. airman in England, and soon welcomed their son, Andrew. Completing their military obligations, Sandy immigrated to the U.S. with her family and spent time in Troy and Klamath Falls, Ore.

Sandy remarried and was blessed with two more children, Jennifer and Edward, with her husband Edward R. Arnot. Residing in Lewiston, Sandy worked as a bookkeeper for Henderson Motors and Idaho Truck Sales. While her love of Scottish folk music and bagpipes was undeniable, it was during this time she fell in love with American country music. A Friday or Saturday night at The Stables dancing to the country classics from Williams, Haggard, Nelson and Jennings brought Sandy great joy. Her home was always overflowing with love, laughter, great food and libations, as well as a mix of Scottish bagpipes and country music.

In 1988 Sandy remarried and moved to Orofino with her late husband Kenneth J. Weller. Together they grew K.J. Weller Logging into a successful operation and gifted the community with their love of the pipes and drums. While attending a Robert Burns Day celebration, Sandy became close friends with members of the Trail Pipe and Drum Corp from Canada and, for the next 20 years, hosted them all so they could participate in the Orofino Lumberjack Days. Sandy and Kenny were thrilled to hear the pipe and drums resonating throughout the Clearwater River Valley through the years.

Sandy was fiercely independent, small in stature but mighty in spirit, brave and loyal, kind and generous to all, gracious and polite, compassionate of others and a “friend in a million” to many. To spend time with her was a privilege and her fun, free-spirited nature guaranteed a good time for all. The world was a brighter place with Sandy in it and, with her by your side, you knew you’d succeed in whatever you put your mind to. Whether you knew her as Sandy, Auntie Sandra, Wee Hen, Darling or Mom, Alexandrina Hawthorne will be forever loved and dearly missed by everyone fortunate enough to have known her. She was a true badass.

Sandy leaves behind her children, Andrew and Jennifer Arnot; her grandchildren, Asa and Rowan; her Scottish siblings, Jen, Mary, Ag and Jim, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Douglas and Dave Hawthorne; her husband, Kenneth J. Weller; and her son, Edward D. Arnot.

At this time, no memorial is scheduled. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Cure Alzheimer’s Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association.