Sandra Kaye (Saffel) Buchholtz

Sandra Kaye Saffel Buchholtz, who is lovingly known as “Kaye,” passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026, in Amarillo, Randall County, Texas, surrounded by her family.

Kaye was born on October 17, 1948, in Yazoo City, Yazoo County, Mississippi, to Roy Edwin and Mildred Irene Saffel. She was raised alongside her siblings, Roy Saffel, Jr., Mickey D. Gallivan, and Michael L. Saffel.

During her childhood, Kaye lived in Tinsley (Oil City), Mississippi, near Yazoo, Mississippi, as well as Novice, Texas, Midkiff, Texas, and Rankin, Texas. In 1957, her family moved to Lovington, New Mexico, where she made lifelong friendships and memories. She graduated from Lovington High School in 1967 and later attended New Mexico Junior College.

Kaye was an active member of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls and the First United Methodist Church, where her faith and service to others were nurtured.

In 1968, she married Dale W. Buchholtz. The couple briefly lived at Fort Benning, Georgia, where Dale was stationed with the United States Army before returning to Lovington, New Mexico, to raise their family.

Kaye was an avid reader, and her favorite book was the Bible, which she faithfully read to her girls each night. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and especially cherished time spent with her grandchildren. She had a deep love for animals, particularly her beloved cats.

Known for her thoughtfulness, Kaye never forgot a birthday or anniversary. Her family looked forward each year to her cherished phone calls, even as her health declined.

Kaye worked outside the home before choosing to devote herself fully to raising her three daughters. She was a proud Girl Scout Troop mom and often said her greatest accomplishment was her girls, whom she loved deeply and was immensely proud of.

Kaye was preceded in death by her beloved parents, siblings, Michael L. Saffel, Mickey D. Gallivan, and her cherished son-in-law, Phu Au.

She leaves behind a loving family who will forever treasure her memory, her brother, Roy Saffel Jr., of Alpine, Texas, and her three devoted daughters, Yvonne Buchholtz Au of Seattle, Washington, Melissa McWilliams and her husband Bryan of Amarillo, Texas, and Angella Marburger, her husband Quentin of Guthrie, Texas, and a brother-in-law, Jim Gallivan of Pomona, California.

Kaye’s greatest joy was her grandchildren, Allison Buchholtz-Au Weins and her husband Connor, Austin Au (Katie Bumatay), all of Seattle, Washington, Gracie Marburger (Calder Green) of Lyons, Colorado, Paisley Marburger and Bentley Marburger of Guthrie, Texas, and Emma McWilliams of Amarillo, Texas.

She is also lovingly remembered by her special friend, Ruby Gaitan of Amarillo, Texas, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends whose lives were enriched by her kindness, faith, and unwavering love.

A special thank you to the staff at Jan Werner Adult Day Care and Hillside Heights Rehabilitation Suites for loving on “Momma Kaye.”

She loved the Lord and her family with all her heart. Kaye will be greatly missed by those who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Kaye’s memory to the Friends of the Amarillo Library, 413 Southeast 4th Avenue, Amarillo, Texas 79101, Attention Ms. Silvia Shaver. Or, to the Rebel Animal Rescue, rebelanimalrescue.org

Please sign the Online Guest Book, and view Ms. Sandra Kaye Buchholtz’s obituary at www.warfordmortuary.com.