Carin Lee Sands

Carin Lee Sands, 58, of Sugar Land, TX passed away on April 12, 2026. Carin was born July 4, 1967 in St. Paul, MN. She was adopted when she was a few weeks old by Elwood Chilson and Judith Chilson (later Weston), making their family of four complete. Carin’s older brother, Greg, was 2 years old at the time and was equal parts protective and mischievous during their happy shared childhood. Judith and Elwood raised their children primarily in Tucson, AZ, Phoenix, AZ, Houston, TX, and Fort Lauderdale, FL. Carin’s Aunt Arlen Anthony was also a prominent figure in her childhood and helped bring up her niece and nephew.

Growing up Carin was a kind-hearted child who adored animals, especially cats, and loved spending time with her friends, babysitting, and reading for pleasure. Carin met her husband, Tom, at Cy-Fair High School in Houston, TX. Both Carin and Tom were excellent students and after graduating in 1985 they went on to attend University of Texas (UT) in Austin and West Point, respectively. The couple began their relationship as friends and fell in love while keeping in touch with expensive, long-distance phone calls and handwritten letters. Carin stayed busy working at the famous Katz’s Deli and attending school in Austin while visiting Tom whenever she found time. They married on May 26, 1989, just 3 days after Tom was commissioned into the U.S. Army. Beginning life as newlyweds in the military they set off to Fort Rucker, AL followed by Fort Bliss, TX, while Carin continued attending undergraduate classes through UT’s satellite campuses. She found joy and success in property management and apartment leasing, an occupation also held by her mom, Judith, her Aunt Arlen, and even her daughter, Lauren, over 20 years later.

Carin and Tom welcomed their firstborn, Lauren, in April 1992 with Dianne following in July 1993. Carin spent the subsequent years raising their girls while building her Village around her, never wavering in her efforts even though the military moves were frequent, typically averaging one per year. Her circle of friends grew and Carin showed exceptional care to those around her by bringing meals to families with illness and new babies, sending care packages to troops abroad, and staying in touch with loved ones despite the years and miles.

At age 33 Carin received the surprise of a lifetime when she learned her biological mother had been trying to find her and was interested in having a relationship with her. Carin had known from an early age that she was adopted and felt that she was “twice loved” because of it. Carol Dugan came into Carin’s life and embraced her newfound granddaughters, Lauren and Dianne, and son-in-law, Tom. The girls were delighted to find they had another uncle in Leif Dugan, as well as many extended family members eager to meet this long-lost daughter of Carol’s. It was a happy time during which the Sands Family formed strong bonds that remained strong for many years to come.

When the Sands Family stayed in one place long enough, Carin found interesting jobs such as working as a tour guide at The Breakers - the Vanderbilt Mansion in Newport, RI. Whether she was working as “Cookie Mom” for Lauren & Dianne’s Girl Scout Troop or supporting local animal rescue efforts, Carin threw herself into her vocations with gusto and heart. All who knew Carin will miss her easy smile and laugh, her extraordinary cooking, and the way she shared her joyful passions of music, gardening, and beautiful meals with her loved ones.

After Tom died unexpectedly in April 2022 Carin was thrown into a difficult new life of navigating the world without her husband of nearly 33 years. It was a happy coincidence that Carin formed a relationship about 2 years later with Carl Wood, the cousin of a close friend of Tom’s. Carin and Carl, or “The Cars” as they were sometimes affectionately referred, bonded over a number of things, including the loss of their beloved spouses, Tom and Betty. They delighted in each other’s grandchildren and passed the time with fun and relaxation. Carin and Carl traveled together, tried adventures like kayaking, saw Barry Manilow live in concert (one of Carin’s all-time favorite artists), and just enjoyed each other’s company after a difficult season of life. Carl made all the difference in the world in the last few years of Carin’s life and equally, she made a difference in his life as well. Carin’s daughters are so grateful to have a new family connection in Carl.

Carin is preceded in death by husband Thomas L. Sands Jr., parents Elwood Chilson and Judith Weston, birthmother Carol Dugan, grandparents Frieda and Axel Rundquist, Effie and Joseph Chilson, Edris “Viola” and Earl Munsinger, aunts Arlen Anthony, Cheryl Robinette, Janice Crowell and Donna Pettman, uncles John Rundquist, Richard Crowell, David Darbro, and Doug Bradford, and cousin Cheri Lindstrom.

Carin is survived by and will be greatly missed by daughters Lauren Weiss (Nathan) and Dianne Sands (Stephen Mann), granddaughter Eleanor “Ellie” Weiss, brothers Greg Chilson (Monette) and Leif Dugan (Terry), brother-in-law Robert Sands (Lena), parents-in-law Thomas L. Sands Sr. and Kathleen Sands, uncle David Pettman, aunts Jeanie Darbro, and Judy Bradford, as well as nieces and nephews Andie Chilson, Jack Chilson, Joey Sands, Lindsay Sands, Abby Dugan, and Joey Dugan. Surviving cousins include Levi Robinette, Art Peterson (Erica), Julie Nelson (David), Wayne Smith, Lori Crowe (Paul), Scott Crowell (Susie), and Brad Crowell.

A Celebration of Life for Carin will be held at Settegast-Kopf Company in Sugar Land, TX at 11am on June 19, 2026. The burial will be held at Houston National Cemetery on June 22, 2026.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to a cause close to Carin’s heart, Houston Pets Alive at https://www.houstonpetsalive.org/