Beloved mother, grandmother, dental hygienist and educator, Sandra “Sandy” Jennings passed away at the age of seventy-six on July 12, 2022.

Sandra Margot Dykes was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on May 25, 1946 to Jack and Mary Dykes. Sandy experienced hardship at an early age when her mother died while she was a toddler. She was extremely fortunate to find a loving and generous adoptive mother in her father’s second wife, Sibyl Annie Lane, with whom she maintained a close, loving relationship until Sibyl’s death in 2008. Sandy moved to California as a child, eventually graduating from Bakersfield High School in 1964 where she was very active, participating in many social organizations including class council and yell leader. She attended UCLA for several years, eventually transferring to and graduating with a degree in dental hygiene from USC’s School of Dentistry in 1969. Soon after her graduation, Sandy returned to Bakersfield and married her first husband, Dr. Ken Jennings, with whom she had two daughters: Wendy and Stephanie. During this time, she was also active in the Junior League of Bakersfield. Sandy spent the majority of her thirties and early forties living at Bakersfield’s Rio Bravo, a local tennis club, becoming an avid tennis player and supporter of many local events including her beloved “milk carton boat regatta.” She moved from Rio Bravo in 1990 when she married her second husband, Dan Brown. Sandy returned to the work force as a dental hygienist in the 1990s, eventually choosing to teach Dental Hygiene at Taft College in 1996. Sandy enjoyed teaching so much that she eventually earned a Master’s degree in Education from California State University, Bakersfield. She taught dental hygiene in Taft until the spring of 2021 when she retired after 25 wonderful years.

Sandy was very family oriented and spent much of her life not only raising her own children but playing an active role in raising her two grandsons, Wilson and Kierigan. Well respected by her colleagues in the School of Dental Hygiene, she also was very committed to her students, often hosting graduation parties at her home. Sandy was a talented person with many unique gifts, and she excelled in everything she endeavored. Whether it was painting, teaching, home decorating, tennis, or cooking for friends and family, she was exceptional. She loved to entertain and being around her table was always memorable. Reading was a big part of her life and she often shared books and exchanged thoughts on her latest read. She found joy in gardening and spent many hours tending to her flowers. Additionally, Sandy was a lover of animals and had cat companions for much of her life. She enjoyed going to movies with family and friends and was known to be a bit of a “fashionista” as she was always well-dressed regardless of the occasion. While Sandy was not a member of a church, she was a devout Christian, spending many quiet moments reading her bible and praying. A devoted friend to many, her friendships extended over a lifetime, giving tribute to her loyalty and care for those in her orbit.

Sandy is survived by her daughters, Wendy Jennings and Stephanie Cunningham, as well as her two grandsons, Wilson and Kierigan Cunningham, her son-in-law, Roy Cunningham, and one baby kitten, Norma Jean. She also leaves behind her brother, Barry Dykes and wife, Susan, and two sisters, Pam Dykes Anavitarte and husband, Luis, and Michele Dykes-Budesca and husband, Jordi.

Sandy will be greatly missed by all those who loved her - family, friends, and students. Her selflessness, strength, and love shaped the lives of many, and we are all the better for it.

A memorial service for Sandy will be held at Greenlawn Northeast on September 3, 2022, at 10:30am, in Bakersfield, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the US Pain Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/sandra-margot-jennings/obituary/

Copy