Sandra K. Lindstrom
April 30, 1944 - September 21, 2013
Sandy Lindstrom passed away Saturday morning September 21 in the Emeritus of Salt Lake Memory Care Facility after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. Gary, her husband of 44 years, was at her side. She was 69 years old.
Born in Sewickley, PA she is the daughter of Robert and Jennie Posega Kedzierski. Her Polish and Slovenian heritage gave her a love of good times and a good polka.
Sandy was an educated and cultured lady. She earned a nursing diploma from Allegheny General Hospital and two degrees from the University of Pittsburgh: BA in English Literature and Master of Social Work. In 1983 she was awarded a PhD in Educational Psychology by the University of Utah, with a dissertation on the clinical basis of “runner's high”- natural endorphins.
In addition to omnivorous reading, Sandy loved dance, theater, music and especially opera. She was an athlete, playing competitive basketball in her youth and running marathons in her prime. Her marathons included Las Vegas, Saint George and Atlantic City, and she completed the Heber Valley Half Ironman. Sandy and Gary were active members of the Wasatch Mountain Club for many years, and did kayaking and rafting together, including organizing private Grand Canyon river float trips in 1980, 1985 and 1992.
Through her husband Gary, Sandy developed an appreciation for classic sports cars, especially British marques of the 1950's. Gary indulged her love of Jaguars with the restoration of an XK140 Drop Head Coupe, which ranked third in North America in 2012.
Sandy worked as an RN for many years and after her MSW as a Social Worker for the Murray School District. She also sold real estate in the Salt Lake Valley.
Besides her husband Gary, Sandy is survived by her sister Linda Rosenquist of Palatine, IL, her loving cat Basho, and her step cat Chloe. She is predeceased by her parents, three Old English Sheepdogs (Wendy, Daisy and Margaux), and countless Siamese cats descended from matriarch Ouiji adopted in 1977.
Heartfelt thanks go out to the skilled and tender care provided by the staff of Emeritus Memory Care, especially its director Jill Driesel Saridakis, and her physicians Barry Stults MD and Carole Baraldi MD.
A memorial brunch celebrating Sandy's life will be held at noon on Sunday October 6 at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S. 900 E. in Salt Lake City. Well-wishers are encouraged to make use of the complimentary valet parking.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association of Utah, or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary of Kanab, UT.
In Loving Memory
Heart Felt Condolences from the parents and brother of Prof. Ganesh Gopalakrishnan, who is a close friend of the Lindstroms. Both Mrs. Sandra and Mr. Garry Lindstrom had visited and stayed with us for a couple of days in our house in Calicut, Kerala State, India. We wish to recall the good time we had in the company of the Lindstoms and wish to say we greatly relished our friendship with them. All of us pray for the ever lasting peace of Mrs. Sandra K Lindstrom's soul in heaven. Ramakrishnan Brother of Prof. Ganesh Gopalakrishnan
RAMAKRISHNAN C G
CALICUT, KERALA STATE, INDIA, nan
Dear Garry, Regret to hear from my brother Ganesh about the sad demise of Sandy. We fondly recall your visit to Trivandrum and the trip to Cape in the 800cc car. Sandra was so affable and endeared to one and all .We had the opportunity to meet with you both briefly when we visited SLC years ago. Our sympathies and heartfelt condolences on this occasion. Pray God to give you strength to bear the bereavement and May her wonderful soul rest in Peace. Rajeswari& Venkitachalam. ( Ganesh's brother )
Dr C.Venkitachalam Gopalakrishnan
Abu Dhabi, nan
GARY, I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. SANDYAND YOU WERE ALWAYS SO KIND TO ME WHEN YOU WOULD COME IN TO SEE HER DAD WHILE I CARED FOR FOR AT THE VILLA. SHE WAS A VERY SPECIAL LADY.
JOANN GLASS
salt lake, ut
To Gary and to Linda, So sorry for your great loss. I hope your good memories of Sandy will bring some comfort to you. Love, Lynn
Lynn (Kedzierski) Moore
Beaver, PA
May Sandy live long and fondly in the memories of the persons whose lives she touched - and especially in yours Gary! On October 6th at 12 pm we'll honk the horn of our Aston to recognize her appreciation of British cars ;-), and to celebrate a life well lived!
Luc Trudel and Nicole Charron
Louisville, Co
Dear Gary, Our family was so saddened to hear of Sandy's passing. We so look forward to your awesome Christmas cards each year to keep in touch. Our memories of Sandy go back to many years of running and road races. She was always so much fun to be around and we had many happy times before and after the races. We love the memories of your pets also, we are all animal lovers and your doggie birthday parties looked awesome! We will always cherish those memories of yester-year, they are the best. You two had a special bond with so many things, may all of them bring you smiles and peace in the days to come. Love to you, Basho and Chloe, so glad you all have each other, our thoughts and prayers, Carol, Pat, Kelly (Wild), and Tracey Watkins.
The Watkins Family
Taylorsville, Ut