Slain Washougal woman was longtime school district employee

A Washougal woman found murdered in her home last month was a longtime Washougal School District employee.
“She was very good with details,” the school district’s communications and information technology director, Les Brown, said of 71-year-old Sandra Ladd. “She knew everyone and how to find an answer to anything. She built relationships with everyone, and cared a lot about why people needed help and used her various roles to be a big support to those around her.”
Ladd, who was found stabbed to death in her home on June 14, worked as an administrative assistant and receptionist for the school district from 1986 to 2016.
“She was very dependable, did whatever it took and worked a lot outside of hours outside of the normal school day supporting the superintendent and school board,” Brown said. “She worked multiple jobs supporting her family for years, and was an incredibly hard worker.”
Born in Portland, Ladd graduated from Washougal High School in 1967, and attended the University of Washington.
According to Ladd’s obituary, she is survived by her daughter, Mikaela Sasse of Vancouver; sons, Jaymes Ladd of Yacolt, Ryan Ladd of Washougal and Trevor Paul Ladd of Washougal; and six grandchildren.
Brown remembers Ladd’s love of travel — especially to Hawaii — and her work with state organizations supporting classified school employees. He also remembers Ladd’s dedication to her children and grandchildren.
“She was very committed to her family, and was so excited about them,” Brown said. “She loved people and children.”