Fairfax Loses Sandy Stuban, Army Nurse and ALS Fighter

A local woman who sought to help others with Lou Gehrig's Disease died last week. 

Sandy Stuban, 55, wife to Steve and mother to the late Nick, passed at her home on Thursday.

She served as a U.S. Army Nurse Corps Officer from 1981 until 1995, during which time she earned awards, filled assignments and tours, and made early promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Stuban retired when she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's).

The Fairfax resident then went public in her struggle with the disease, writing an "Advice from the Trenches" column for veterans with ALS and an autobiography called "The Butcher's Daughter: The Story of an Army Nurse with ALS." She also lobbied alongside American Legion for support for disabled veterans.

The Stubans made headlines last year when their , sparking a debate over the county school system's disciplinary process and starting the school board on a road toward reform. Sandy's husband Steve Stuban ran an unsuccessful bid for Fairfax County School Board last fall.

She will be buried Monday at 2 p.m. at the Arlington National Cemetery next to her son.

Click here to read the full obituary.