Talk Story

“I had to take a breath to take a pause and appreciate the breath of Sandy's spirit will be forever. Her life, creativity, and who she was made this world a better place.

I am holding all of you close in my thoughts and heart and will keep the candles burning today in honor of Sandy. Her light will keep finding ways to touch you and surround you in her love.”

— Twainhart Hill, Friend and Kindred Spirit

“I will especially miss the fact that Sandy and I were two of a very few Mid-Pac classmates who would understand all of Frank DeLima’s punchlines.  That is a major accomplishment achieved only by kids who grew up in the country. 

My favorite memory was how Sandy, Maurine and I were at the Corner Kitchen in Kapahulu listening to a Hawaiian music band.  Sandy asked me if I thought they would know Hanalei Moon.  I asked why.  She said she knew how to do hula to the song.  So, at a short break, she asked the band and they said no problem.  They called her up and she danced in front of probably 50-100 people in the bar.  That was Sandy, no shame dance for everybody. 

Memories of her spontaneous good spirits will stay with us.”

— Moss Shimabukuro, Mid-Pac Class of ‘69

“I was a decades long friend of Sandy's from our walking group.  I am sorry to hear of her passing.  Her enthusiasm for life was contagious.  I appreciated her diverse interests and her willingness to tackle new adventures with zeal. With Sandy, I kayaked in Mexico and walked the Oregon Coast Trail.  She was a good travel partner, always agreeable and a generous contributor to the group effort.  I played pickleball with Sandy and spent many weekends at your comfortable beach house.  I am grateful that Sandy was part of my life, and I have many fond memories of her great spirit.”

— Joanne Fitzgerald, Friend

“I’ll always treasure the memories of when your mom came to visit me in Ireland and we gallivanted around having the best time. I still smile thinking about how she saw potential Tupperware in every piece of plastic. She was truly such a special and lovely human.”

— Katie Bass, Friend

“Sandy was a one-of-kind spirit. Emphasis on kind. I ran into her at the Corvallis Trader Joe’s a few years back and it was just a delight to see her. It took me back to all the years of taking us to the coast, all the birthday parties and sleepovers. She was always, always the kindest of moms and treated us all with so much love and respect, always made sure we were having fun, were fed and were just being kids. Foundational in those Corvallis years.”

— Chris McKee, Childhood Friend of Taylor’s

“Sandy was such an important friend to Paul, to me, and to Sam and his sister, Lucy. Every year we would meet at The Royal Grove, and Sandy would always be in her usual room on the ground floor, tucked away in the corner by the swimming pool.

She always knew where the best bands were playing, where we should go, how to get there, and what special parades or events were happening. She even introduced us to pickleball. Most of all, she was our friend, and we always looked forward to seeing her and spending time with her and Mr. Fong.

I loved seeing how happy she was in Hawaii and how beautifully she embraced her Hawaiian culture. Monday nights at The Royal Grove were always special—she would light up, singing and dancing with so much joy. She was truly a beautiful woman, and I miss her deeply.”

— Tracey Miller, Friend from Australia

“My earliest memory with Sandy goes back to when we were very young (1960s). Our family had driven to Sacramento to visit Auntie Grace, and Sandy was staying with her at the time, so it must have been summer. She rode a bike with me perched on the handlebars all the way to the nearby school and playground. That was good fun.

My last memory with Sandy was in 2019, when she, my mom, and I met in Las Vegas while she was attending a genealogy seminar. That evening, we enjoyed the Penn & Teller show together and had a wonderful time.

I’ve always admired Sandy’s curiosity and spirit for adventure, and will miss her deeply.”

— Cori Tow, Cousin