Sandra Bray Cain

Sandra was born in Meriam, Kansas in 1935 to Leroy and Mildred Bray. Her childhood found Sandra riding horses with her Grandpa Mann, which fostered her love of horses, helping Grandma Mann tend the large family garden, and playing with and chasing her older brother Frank. Her family including her Aunt Hazel and Uncle John spent many family vacations together all over the country, which were treasured memories for Sandra. She was especially glad to have visited all 50 state capitals. The family moved to Lima, Ohio where Sandra attended and graduated from Lima Central High and was a member of the notorious Lucky 7.

She attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where she was a proud member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority graduating in 1958 with an English degree. She went on to teach high school English and History in Illinois and Ohio until 1966. After raising her two sons, Sandra worked as an educator in the Kalamazoo school system for several years.

She married the love of her life Maury Cain in Chicago, Illinois in June of 1959.

During their time together, Sandra and Maury lived in Akron, Oakwood and Worthington, Ohio as well as Kalamazoo, Michigan, Peoria, Illinois and La Crosse, Wisconsin before settling in Des Moines, Iowa in 1993.

She raised two boys, Richard and John. Both are graduates of Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo. Richard graduated from Michigan State University while John graduated from Illinois State University.

Sandra was part of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and in later years volunteered to teach in an adult literacy program. Sandra was an avid knitter having made hundreds of high-quality garments for family, friends and the needy. She and Maury were devoted bridge players. They were also regular entertainers often giving and attending dinner parties and other gala events. One legendary affair was the popular annual birthday party for her beloved standard poodle, Gus. Many friends look back fondly on the Cain’s epic St. Patrick’s Day parties. Extremely proud of her Irish heritage, it was somehow fitting that her passing occurred on St. Patrick’s Day.

Bowling was a passion of Sandra’s, and she was an accomplished local league standout in her middle years.

Her zeal and delight for reading was a lifelong pursuit. Her favorites were history, particularly World War II, which played such a large role in shaping her childhood, biography, mystery, and tales of dogs.

She read the newspaper every day especially enjoying the crossword puzzle and the funnies.

Believing in the importance of exposing her children to many different experiences, Sandra passed on her love of travel to her two sons. She and Maury took the boys on many trips to the four corners of America during regular summer vacations. Later in retirement, Sandra and Maury spent much of their later years traveling the world including stops in Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica.

A member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in West Des Moines, Sandra served on the Vestry and the Altar Guild.

Sandra was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Maury Cain, father, Leroy Bray, mother, Mildred Bray, brother, Frank Bray. She leaves behind sons, John and Richard; niece, Judy Vore (Keith); nephew, Charles Cain (Nancy).