Mary Louise Sandner Johansen
Photo
Mary's obituary
Mary Louise Sandner Johansen
May 1, 1955 – February 8, 2026
Mary Louise Sandner Johansen, born May 1, 1955, passed unexpectedly on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Redwood City. She was 70 years old.
Mary was born in Kansas City to Robert and Florence (O’Gara) Sandner. When Mary was only six years old, her family experienced the sudden and tragic loss of her mother. Shortly thereafter, she moved with her father and her two younger brothers to the Glen Park neighborhood of San Francisco. As the oldest sibling, Mary naturally stepped into a role of strength and care within her family. The Sandners were a very close-knit family, bound together by resilience, loyalty, and deep love — values that shaped Mary’s character for the rest of her life.
She graduated from Balboa High School and went on to attend University of San Francisco.
Mary dedicated her early professional years to community service, working with Mission Rebels, a grassroots organization providing job placement and educational programs. She later built a long and successful career, working for Bank of America for many years before serving as Operations Manager at Service Press Printing, Office Manager at Tomer and Shen Orthoworks, and finally as Community Business Director at Atria Senior Living, where she retired.
In the summer of 1989, Mary moved to Millbrae, where she quickly became part of a close-knit community and formed many cherished, lifelong friendships. In retirement, she enjoyed water aerobics, bread-making classes, and spending meaningful time with the people she loved.
Mary shared 14 beautiful years with the love of her life, Fred Johansen. They built a joyful, adventurous life together long before making it official, and were married on February 29, 2024 — Leap Year Day — a date as special and unique as their love story. Together, they immersed themselves in car and motorcycle clubs, traveling out of state to attend car shows, riding in parades in their antique cars, judging exhibitions, and exploring Europe extensively on Fred’s Indian motorcycle. Mary often joked about being gone for months at a time and managing with just a single backpack.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Fred Johansen; her son, Tony Giacomazzi, and daughter-in-law Jackie (Quickert); her brothers, Robert (Dawn) Sandner and Frank (Monica) Sandner; her cherished grandchildren, Max and Zach Giacomazzi; and her nieces and nephews, Brian Sandner; Robert and Calla Sandner; Danielle and Rob DeMartini; Chris and Izzy Sandner; and grand-niece Aria.
Mary was a generous and loving woman whose time and kindness knew no limits. Anyone and everyone who met Mary loved and admired her. She would give you her last penny if you asked — and more importantly, she would give you her time, which is priceless. Her warmth, laughter, strength, and boundless generosity touched countless lives. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and friends forever.
Send to someone
Want to stay updated?
Share this memorial website
Share with others
