1st SOMXG secretary mourned

  • Published
  • By Dylan Laurie
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  A memorial service was held Thursday for Sandra Kay Waters, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group, in the Hurlburt Chapel.

Mrs. Waters, who passed away last week from cancer, helped Col. Socrates Greene, 1st SOMXG commander, take care of the men and women of the 1st SOMXG.

She was awarded the Air Force Civilian Achievement Award in recognition of her distinguished performance as commander's secretary from Dec. 16, 2001 to April 1, 2006.

"Kay was a very private person who never complained about her illness, and I saw no degradation in her work throughout that period," Colonel Greene said. "She will be sorely missed but will remain alive in the hearts and minds of those closest to her for years to come."

Despite her health issues, she never had a "bad" day, according to Clifford Dawson, Air Force Special Operations Forces Chief Management Systems Flight.

"The one thing I will remember is the courage it took for her to come to work every day with a smile on her face," Mr. Dawson said. "Professionally, she was always a step ahead of us - took care of things without asking 'I often wondered if she was clairvoyant' and if Kay said it was done - don't worry about it, it was done."

The family is asking that donations be sent to Covenant Hospice Niceville Branch, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, Fla. 32578,(850) 729-1800.