Sandra Berman
Sandra “Sandy” Gayle Berman passed away at Evergreen Health Hospice Center in Kirkland, WA on July 8, 2018 after a courageous 11-year battle with ovarian cancer. Sandy was the beloved wife of Howard, mother to Greg (Kerrie) and Mindy (Paul), sister to David and Doug (Judy) and grandma to Parker, Tyler, Arielle, Sophi and Stevan.
Sandy was born in Seattle on May 9, 1941 to Alonzo and Hester Hobart. She was the middle child of three with older brother David and younger brother Doug. She graduated from Ballard High School in 1959 and obtained a B.A. from the University of Washington in 1962. At seventeen she met the love of her life, Howard Berman, at an all-city high school dance. This was the
Sandra and Howard
start of 60 years of love and true partnership. They married on Valentine’s Day in 1965 at the Sorrento Hotel in downtown Seattle.
In 1966 they moved to Kirkland, WA where they lived in the Houghton neighborhood for 40 years. In 1968 they welcomed son Greg and in 1971 daughter Melinda (Mindy). Two kids couldn’t have had a better Mom as she was the epitome of unconditional love and endless support. Sandy was also active in the PTA and Evergreen Hospital Guild.
In the early 1970’s they bought an auto parts store in Redmond with business partner Scott Brand. It was a NAPA store that was called “The Parts House”. Sandy was the office manager for the store and over the years they acquired additional stores in Monroe, Issaquah, and Sultan. They were NAPA jobbers for almost 40 years and made lifelong friends with regular customers, employees and others in the Redmond and NAPA community. Many employees and customers will remember the fantastic holiday parties at the house in Kirkland as Sandy was great at entertaining.
Sandy loved traveling with friends and family. Favorite spots over the years were Hawaii, Mexico, California, and the favorite, their home on Stuart Island. After retirement in 2003 Sandy and Howard divided time between Stuart Island in the summer, Palm Springs in the winter and Redmond in-between where they made many new wonderful friendships and memories.
Her other big joy in retirement was her grandchildren. She was an awesome grandma and loved having the kids overnight or up to Stuart for long visits. Christmas
was special and she made sure every kid (adult and little) got the same number of gifts. She put a lot of thought into what the everyone would like while also making sure it was “practical”.
Sandy loved gardening and never met a rhododendron she didn’t want to prune. Her yards and signature flower pot of geraniums, petunias and lobelia were always beautiful. She loved country music, reading, Mexican food, the color yellow and anything lemon or coconut!
She was diagnosed in September 2007 with ovarian cancer. Like everything in her life she took on cancer in a very pragmatic, quiet and dignified manner. She had a tremendous will for life and for many years she beat the odds and continued to enjoy activities with family and friends. Her favorite saying was, “Live, Laugh, Love”.
The family would like to thank Dr. Pam Paley, Dr. Tanya Wahl and Dr. Elber Camacho for treating and taking care of Sandy for the past 11 years, and to the staff of EvergreenHealth Hospice Care for helping make her final weeks dignified and comfortable. All of their dedication gave family and friends more cherished time with Sandy.
Remembrances can be made to the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer (https://www.rivkin.org/) or EvergreenHealth Hospice Care / Gene & Irene Wockner Hospice Center (https://www.evergreenhealth.com/hospice-care)
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 on Sunday, September 9th at the Cascade Club at Redmond Ridge Trilogy in Redmond, WA.