SANDRA VINEYARD-SIMS OBITUARY

Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)

Sandy and I lived directly across the street from each other in junior high school. She would come over to my house on the corner of Brown and Clawson Streets in the morning to wait for me to get up so we could walk to East Jr. High together. While I was getting ready she would talk with my mother, Hope Lane Waide. She said she could tell my mother anything. And, that my mother always listened.  

Sandy reminded me that she, or my Mom, would have to call me to get out of bed several times before "you got your lazy bottom out of bed." Then, we'd laugh about how hard it was for me to get up. It still is. 

My mother, Hope Helen (Lane) Waide was the leader of our Girl Scout Troop in Jr. High. There were 21 girls in our troop, perhaps many of you. My mother was super fond of Sandy; and truth be told, I was a little jealous. Mom would be so proud of her. Sandy and I competed for her praise. We'd try to outsell each other in the number of Girl Scout cookies we sold, or the number of merit badges we earned. I think we both finally had 39 merit badges. Sounds impossible.  I have a picture of us dressed up for some occasion at the old East Jr. High across the parking lot from the beautiful, old AHS building.  This was taken at Sandty's house before we went.  

About six or seven months ago, I got a call from Sandy. Since then, we've talked on the phone at least once every ten days. I usually call her. Although she had Alsheimers and would ask me the same questions over and over again, I never minded repeating myself to her. She was always so pleased to hear about my kids, my life, my "little" brother "Mikie's" health. She always told me how much she loved my mother, and I assured her that my mother loved her, too. She also told me how my little brother Mikie was the cutest little boy she ever saw. And, about the crush she had on my older brother, Frankie Joe. She regaled me with stories of her and Steve Wenzel's life in Hawaii. They lived in the same complex as Don Ho and were friends. She still had a great sense of humor.

She was super proud of her children. Proud of her grandchildren, and her son Rob. She was living with Rob and in home hospice care.  I called her on Good Friday. She was in a great mood. She told me how wonderful her caregivers were. Because one was there, she asked me to call back that evening. I got busy and didn't call back. Her son Ron told me she would not have realized that I let her down. Not to worry. But, I let myself down because we could have revisited the good times and laughed at ourselves and with each other one more time. 

Carole Fairless (Pollett)

So very sorry to hear this. Sandy and I were friends later  in high school years. But as so much goes on in our young loves we never crossed paths till a reunion a few back.  Again so sorry may she rest in peace and will remember us when we get to Heaven .

Roger Cooke

Sandy was always forthright and honest, even to the point of expressing candid opinions about teachers to other teachers.   I double-dated many times with her and Steve when we were in high school.  I well remember one occasion when I remarked that I had seen her with Steve after a long time when I hadn't seen them together.  I asked if they were dating.  Her reply was classic:  "Yes.  He says `still'.  I say `again'."

Poor Steve left us far too early, 47 years ago.  (Can you believe that?)  I remember when I was in graduate school in New Jersey in the early 60s, my mother told me of the tragic loss of their baby.  Gary Bogart later told me it was the saddest funeral he had ever attended.   But they were both very strong people, and Sandy made a good life for herself.  I'm very glad to hear that she kept her spirits up even through the fog of Alzheimers.  Rest in peace, Sandy.