Sandra Lipka

Sandra Lipka, age 86, passed away in the arms of her loving husband, Ron, on Sunday, May 1, 2022. She had been ill for several months and was hospitalized for a week preceding. Sandy was a creative artist and was well known in New Mexico for her many and varied projects. Born in Indianapolis she was learning violin at age five and by age 18 was featured soloist with the Detroit Symphony.

Graduating with a degree in Music Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1957, she married Ron Lipka and they moved to Los Alamos, NM where their son, Tracey was born. She played in the Rio Grande Symphony and taught many students' violin and piano. In Albuquerque Sandy welcomed daughter, Jori and played first stand viola in the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra for 15 years. Then her career turned to pottery. She became a Master Potter creating specialized functional and decorative ceramics. Her work was shown and sold at art shows throughout the Southwest. At home, her passion was gardening, filling her large yard with showy plants but concentrating on roses. Daily attention to over 60 rosebushes became her first love.

Survivors include her husband, Ron Lipka; son, Tracey Lipka; daughter, Jori Smith; son-in law, Lee Smith; granddaughters, Taren Smith, NYC, Olivia Smith, Austin, TX, and Elizabeth Johnson, and great-grandson, Lincoln Johnson of Minneapolis, MN.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 14, 10:30 a.m., FRENCH - Westside with a reception to follow.

We invite all her many friends to celebrate her life.