Beloved OCC math teacher dies

Amy R. Spurgeon

LAGUNA NIGUEL -- Monday’s death of OCC math professor Sandra Savage has

created an irreplaceable void, say family members, colleagues and

students who knew her.

Savage succumbed to bone cancer in a Laguna Hills nursing home after a

2.5-year battle with the disease. She was 62.

“Even more than her intellect was her heart and caring for others,” said

husband Steven Savage. The two would have celebrated their 37th wedding

anniversary this year. “It was her heart and caring that identify who she

is.”

When she was diagnosed with cancer in December, Mrs. Savage met the news

head-on. She outlived doctor’s expectations by more than two years.

Mrs. Savage, a 20-year faculty member at OCC, was not only a lecturer,

author and Internet publisher, but accumulated scores of awards over the

years. She was named Orange County’s Community College Teacher of the

Year in 1994. Also a National Science Foundation Fellow, she dedicated

much of her time and energy encouraging young women to excel in the

fields of science and mathematics.

In March, the South Coast chapter of the Assn. for Women in Science

established the Sandra Hope Savage Award for Excellence in Science and

Mathematics Education in her honor. She was the first recipient.

Mrs. Savage, who worked up until just a few weeks ago and at times

arrived at class in a wheelchair, wrote a letter expressing her gratitude

for the March luncheon tribute.

“My colleagues have quietly stepped in to help out in every way possible.

And of course, my students have graciously helped out with the

wheelchair. But, more importantly, they remind me daily, both in comments

and written notes, how much they appreciate my work. Life is good.”

OCC President Margaret Gratton said the campus was solemn Tuesday.

Gratton spent Friday evening visiting her friend in the nursing home.

“She was playing classical music and watching the Lakers,” said Gratton.

“She was in good spirits, but weak and growing tired. This is an enormous

loss to OCC and the community.”

Mrs. Savage is survived by her husband, Steven; daughter, Samantha;

mother, Freda Skeen; and siblings, Diana Beauchamp, Barry Skeen, Ray

Allen Skeen, Sam Skeen, Robert Skeen and Gail Mihaliak.

A memorial service will be held on campus this fall. No immediate

services have been scheduled.