Sandra Kaye Yarborough, beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend passed away Tuesday, March 5 in Reno, NV. She was 85 years old.

Sandra was born in San Francisco in 1938, and she moved with her parents and siblings to Merced when she was 8 years old. As a young adult she married and had three children (Mike, Tim and Kelly) while in Merced. She divorced her first husband and moved to Nevada County in the late 1960s where she married Raymond Yarborough and had two children (Lori and Susan). For the last 12 years, she lived in Sparks and Reno, Nevada.

Sandra always considered Grass Valley to be her home. She loved the trees that fill and surround this beautiful small town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in northern California. This is where I had the good fortune to grow up with her, my dad, and my younger sister who we lovingly called “Suzi.” My parents, “Sandy and Ray,” were married for almost 35 years. For most of that time, they lived in Grass Valley. Briefly, they lived on Mill Street in Nevada City.

Their love story began in 1969 when she was 30 and he was 50. She had moved from Merced to Grass Valley to be closer to her parents, Raymond and Catherine Hall. My dad had four children from a previous marriage. The two youngest, Ted and Tami lived with him. I often told my parents that they were crazy for having two more babies when they had a house full of teenagers! My dad passed away in 2003 at the age of 85.

My mom was an extraordinary woman. I realize my point of view is biased, as she was my mother, but I believe anyone who was lucky enough to know her, would agree with my use of the word “extraordinary.” She always had a kind word, hug or home-made cookie to share with those around her.

I was born in 1970, and 18 months later Suzi was born. Our mom, who had previously worked as a nurse's aide at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley and as a clerk at a local drugstore, stayed home with us and our siblings until Suzi began the first grade. Then she went to work for Grass Valley Group, where she worked for more than 20 years until she retired. Initially, she assembled electronic boards, and later she ran a stock room.

Sandy had 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Additionally, several of our friends spent so much time at our house that they became family and addressed Sandy as “mom.” One of those friends, Michele, shared that our mom made her feel welcome because she never judged and was a great listener.

Sandy enjoyed many hobbies and activities such as crocheting, gardening, reading, camping, fishing, trail rides on ATVs (see photo taken during a trip to Mexico) and traveling. She crocheted small hats for newborn babies and donated them to families in need, and she crocheted lap-size blankets and donated them to seniors. She adopted a dog from a local shelter and named him “Hadley,” which was her father’s middle name. Some of my most treasured memories are from the vacations she and I took together to Hawaii, New England, Washington DC, Canada and Niagara Falls.

When I look back on my childhood, I don’t remember my mom sitting down very often. She seemed to always be busy driving us to and from school or band practice, cooking, baking, canning, cleaning and taking care of everyone. She made the best chocolate chip cookies from scratch! These cookies were much-loved items in school lunches and at fundraising bake sales.

Sandy dealt with the ups and downs of life with a positive attitude and a smile. She showed us how to keep moving forward, no matter the circumstances. We never had extravagant things or took expensive vacations, but we knew we were loved. Even when we misbehaved and got in trouble, we knew we were loved. She taught us right from wrong and when discipline was needed, she would point and shake her finger at us and stare us down. This was enough for me to fall in line, but some of my siblings got the “wait until your father gets home” speech!

If I could talk to my mom one last time, I would thank her for setting me on a good path. She and my dad led by example. They worked hard to support us, and they were strong during times of adversity. They were not perfect, but they loved each other and worked together to raise their family.

Mom, thank you for loving me and encouraging me and showing me the joy that can be had from the simple things in life like a beautiful sunset after a day spent fishing or camping, the smell of rain in a pine forest, and the infectious laughter of a grandchild bouncing on your knee. Rest in peace knowing that your love continues on in me and in all your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, and all who knew you. 

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