Sandra M. Kimzey

Born on March 23, 1943 to the late Josephine von Dreele and Andrew Kapturkewisc, Sandy’s early years were spent in Jersey City, NJ before moving to Albuquerque, NM with her family which included her mother, stepfather (the late John von Dreele), sister (the late Wendy von Dreele), and two brothers (the late Glenn von Dreele and FL resident Wayne von Dreele).

It was in New Mexico where Sandy met military helicopter pilot Reed T. Kimzey whom she married on August 27, 1960. The couple went on to have three children: Kelly Anne Kimzey (m.Ed Salas), Kevin Andrew Kimzey (m. Robin Kimzey), and Robin Tracy Kimzey (m. Jacque Kimzey); eight grandchildren: Bonnie Jo Miller (m. Sam Miller), Tracy Ray Salinas (m. Tina Salinas), Kaitlyn Kimzey (m. Brian Burrell), Katrina McLeman (m. Jake McLeman), Reed Kimzey (m. Alina Carroll-Kimzey), Alex Kimzey, Grace Kimzey and Tyger Kimzey; and four great-grandchildren: Madeline Miller, Eve Salinas, Ivy Salinas, and Wyatt Burrell.

Sandy’s life was shaped by the military. She was proud of her father, husband, brother, sons, and grandchildren who served, especially during the WWII, Vietnam, and Desert Storm wars. As an Army officer’s wife, Sandy embraced the military community, making lifelong friends and holding down the fort during her husband’s several deployments. She and Reed faithfully attended the annual Vietnam Helicopter Pilot’s reunion to reconnect with old friends. Sandy could be seen about town in her signature Z-Coil sneakers or socks-with-Birks, gregariously striking up conversations with her favorite wait staff, salesclerks, kids she knew from her days working in local schools, and anyone else down for a quick chat. A few times a year, she and her husband would take off in their big RV with a menagerie of dogs and cats in tow. Her favorite destination was anywhere with a beach.

Sandy created a tradition of hosting extended family every Memorial Day weekend for barbecue, badminton, and laughs. In her honor and in lieu of a formal celebration of life, please consider hosting your own extended family next Memorial Day and give a wink and a nod to the one-of-a-kind Sandy “Mema” Kimzey.