Sandra Newman Lloyd of Riverton dies at 70

Sandra Newman Lloyd, Riverton's first female mayor, longtime community servant and pageant director, died Monday, July 25, 2005, following a battle with a rare blood disease. She was 70 years old.

Mrs. Lloyd was born in Riverton on Feb. 22, 1935, to Mabel Jean Langford Newman and Moss Newman. She attended Riverton Elementary, Riverton Junior High and Jordan High School.

She married Robert E. Lloyd in September 1955. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Lloyd served as a PTA president, worked as a wedding consultant and held secretarial positions before being appointed Riverton city recorder in 1980, a post she held 14 years. She took office as the first female mayor of Riverton in 1994 and served two terms, during which she successfully pushed to save the former Heber and Mary Jane Crane home, which is now the Riverton Museum, and the old Riverton Elementary School, which now houses city government.

Mrs. Lloyd was heavily involved in pageants. Involved in the Miss America organization, she was the Miss Riverton pageant director for three decades and traveled the state as a judge, most recently in this year's Days of '47 pageant.

Mrs. Lloyd had a passion for the arts, serving on the Zoo, Arts and Parks Board and helping create the Riverton Metropolitan Orchestra, Riverton Art Museum, Riverton Arts Festival and other cultural organizations.

Mrs. Lloyd was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teaching in the Relief Society, working with youth and offering motivational speeches.

She was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago with a relatively rare disorder, refractory anemia, which is related to the bone marrow's blood cell production.

A viewing is scheduled for Friday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Riverton Civic Center, 12830 S. Redwood Road, in the council chamber room. Services will be held Saturday, July 30, at 11 a.m. at the LDS Riverton Park Ward, 12950 S. 1300 West. Burial will be in Riverton City Cemetery.