Sandra Griffin Augenstein

She was born in July 1948, in Santa Monica, California. The second daughter of Art and Gwen, her birthday was their third wedding anniversary gift to each other.

Sandy did well in school, as evidenced by graduating at the age of 16 from Valencia High School in Placentia as part of the class of 1965. Sandy and Charles ‘Augy’ Augenstein met through mutual friends and in June of 1967 they married. After marriage, they choose to settle in Placentia, living first in an apartment, and then moving into their own home. Having a yard of their own was a plus as they already had two children, Dawn and Robert.

Sandy and Augy joined a jeep club, the All American Four Wheelers, and went on many off-road camping trips with the other club members. Sandy did the bulk of the non-vehicle preparations before and the clean-ups after each outing. She also served on the club’s Board.

For her younger sister, who performed in majorette competitions for many years, Sandy was the person that made her sister’s outfits sparkle. Sandy would hand-sew innumerable rhinestones into place, with a special ruler that helped the spacings be just right.

Sandy served as a leader in Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She helped with the units and recruited additional volunteers so that her kids and others could have the experiences that Scouting offered.

When her kids were playing softball and little league, Sandy routinely volunteered as the team mom. She sewed the team banners displaying each player’s name and number. She worked many shifts in the snack shack and braved the cold of sitting on aluminum bleachers cheering for her team while keeping the scorebook. She even gave the “No, you can’t quit. You’re part of a team that’s counting on you…” speech when needed.

When Dawn and Robert participated in marching band, Sandy was a big supporter. She helped with uniform fittings and sewed flags for the units to look good while performing. For the Velvet Knights drum and bugle corps, Sandy spent several years travelling with the unit during their Summer Tour to help cook and sell souvenirs.

For her grandkids she was back to being a consistent presence in the bleachers at baseball games, marching band, color guard shows, and dance recitals. However, in these reprisals she didn’t have to take snack shack shifts!

Sandy was an energetic, dedicated person. She encouraged others to pursue their interests, and contributed her own talents to making those experiences as good as they could be. She enjoyed being with thoughtful, engaging people.

Many family members survive her passing, including her sisters Judy and Dorothy and their families; her children Dawn, and Robert and their families, including four grandchildren.

We will honor Sandy’s life and put her body to rest on July 9, 2025. Please come and share a memory about her. The family welcomes all who would like to attend a viewing at McAulay and Wallace Mortuary in Fullerton from 9am-11am. Then we will hold a graveside service at Loma Vista Memorial Park starting at 11:30am, and conclude the day with a reception at the family home.

The family invites you to consider donating to an organization important to you in Sandy’s honor, in lieu of flowers. We’ll be delighted to know what you’ve chosen if you want to share that with us. If you need a suggestion, consider the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.