Kay Sandra Chambers, longtime Meeker resident and nurse practitioner in Rifle and Glenwood Springs, died May 17, 2004, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, after a recurrence of cancer that had been in remission. She was 65.

A memorial service is scheduled for 5 p.m. June 12 at Sleepy Cat Resort in Meeker.

Ms. Chambers moved to Meeker in 1971, from Wisconsin. She worked in her family’s guide and outfitting business, while pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. She gained her nursing education in Colorado, earning degrees from Mesa College, Mesa State College and the University of Colorado. In 1997, she received board certification as a gerontological nurse.

In addition to her work in Rifle, at the Veterans’ Administration Nursing Home and in Glenwood, at Valley View Hospital, Ms. Chambers worked as a registered nurse at Pioneers Hospital in Meeker and at Denver General Hospital.

In 2000, she was given the Nightingale Award, from the Colorado Nurse’s Foundation, for excellence in human caring. At the awards ceremony, it was noted that Ms. Chambers’ philosophy of medical care was, “You can’t always cure, but you can always care.”

Ms. Chambers spent her leisure time pursuing her interests in travel, fishing and golf ” and spending time at her cabin. She enjoyed life to the fullest, particularly when spending time with her family and her many friends. She will be remembered as a courageous woman who lived life on her own terms and died on her own terms.

She is survived by her daughters, Denise Cantafio of Steamboat Springs, Annette Hall-Blomquist of Hayden and Lori Quinn of Meeker; and by a stepdaughter, Amy Michels of Dane, Wis.; by a brother, Royce Gilbert of Hollendale, Wis.; by five granddaughters and one great-granddaughter; and by her longtime companion and best friend, Celistino Martinez of Meeker.

Donations in Ms. Chambers’ name may be sent to the Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home, P.O. Box 1420, Rifle, CO 81650.