Marina S. Sandoval

Marina died peacefully surrounded by family the morning of June 15, 2025, in the home she cherished for over 60 years.

Marina was born in Youngsville, New Mexico, in 1929. She was the seventh of ten children born to Victorniana and Narciso Serrano. She married Joe R. Sandoval in 1949. They lived in New Mexico until 1959 when they moved to Salt Lake City, where they raised their children. Marina worked hard for 30 years at Lynn Wilson Products, a food company, doing production work, and retired in 1991.

Marina’s faith in God was her guiding light, deeply influencing how she raised her children, her marriage, and her work. She was a devoted mother who, along with Joe, sacrificed so their children could attend Catholic schools. She was also a caring grandmother to seven grandkids and loved taking care of them. Marina was known for her love of cooking and baking, especially for her family, and was famous for her banana nut bread.

A dedicated parishioner at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church for 55 years, Marina was deeply involved in her church community. She was part of the Altar Society and served as one of the collection counters on Monday mornings. During her time as a member of the Altar Society, she was named the Catholic Woman of the Year by the Salt Lake Diocese. She retired from church service in December 2015, and the church held a mass in her honor for her long years of service. She continued to volunteer well into her 80s.

Marina was an avid walker who especially enjoyed taking her dog, Scottie, on walks in Liberty Park. She had a sense of adventure and was very independent. Even though she never obtained a driver’s license, she could navigate anywhere she needed in the Salt Lake Valley on the bus, learning the routes to get to her doctor’s appointments or do some shopping at the Mall. Her adventurous spirit was exemplified during a trip to Hawaii, where she found the local Catholic Church and attended mass every morning while on vacation, exploring the city on foot.

Marina was preceded in death by her parents, Victorniana & Narciso, her husband, Joe R. Sandoval, and her siblings: Eufelia Chacon, Angelica Ortiz, Enriquez Serrano, Nora Vigil, Max Serrano, Amalia DeVargas, Arsenia Cisneros, and Vitalia Gallegos.

She is survived by her sibling, Lorenzo Serrano. Marina is also survived by her three children: Carol Sandoval, Joseph (Stephanie), and Don Sandoval (Klaudia). She leaves behind seven grandchildren: Brandi Sandoval, Marti Parker, Anthony Sandoval, Taylor Sandoval, Kennedy Nino, Izabella Sandoval, and Athalane Casper. She is also survived by, five great-grandchildren.

The family extends their gratitude to Intermountain Health Home Services, Hospice Care; Nurses Tina and Christina, Social Worker Sammie Montoya and Chaplain Mario for their compassionate support. They also wish to acknowledge the church friends, Bee Godina, her daughter, Irene Cordova, her husband and Jenny Sanchez, her mother and husband who visited and prayed for Marina during her final days. Also, the family and friends who called or came by to lend their love and support, including Marina’s nieces who came from New Mexico, Micki Archuleta and ElsieVigil. Thanks also to Carol’s pastor, Oscor T. Moses and the Deacons of Calvary Baptist Church.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 28, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 670 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City, UT. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by the mass at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served in the church hall following the service. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery at 2:00 p.m., 4th Ave. & “T” Street.

Marina is gone but not forgotten. Her legacy and spirit will remain in the family and community she nurtured and cherished.