Sandra Sue Valline

Sandy was born on July 2, 1937, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Howard and Cleta (Rodecker) Grove. She and her older sister, Patty, had a happy childhood growing up in St. Joe despite losing their father when Sandy was just 13 years old. After graduating from Central High School, Sandy continued her education at Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, Missouri, where she earned her degree in teaching and met the love of her life, Ron. After marrying in 1960, they moved to Kansas City and raised two daughters. Sandy spent her entire career in the North Kansas City School District, first teaching at Topping Elementary, then earning her master's degree in library science and becoming a Librarian for several elementary schools in the district. She retired in 1992 to be a full-time Grandma, watching her family grow two more generations with three granddaughters and three great-granddaughters.

During their married years, Sandy and Ron enjoyed bowling, playing bridge and taking cruises together. After her husband’s passing, Sandy continued to be a dedicated bridge player – achieving the prestigious rank of Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League, and annual family beach trips became a tradition she deeply cherished. Sandy always had a book in her hand, loved gardening and antiquing, and was an avid patron of the arts, finding great joy in attending local live theater performances. But most of all, she treasured time spent with her family.

Sandy is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 43 years, Ron Valline, who passed in 2003, her parents Howard and Cleta Grove, and her sister, Patricia Nash.

She is survived by her daughters, Damian Bridges, and Dana Nowakowski and husband Dan; granddaughters Samantha (Patrick) Winkler, Becca (Zac) Salamone, and Olivia (Cole) Miller; and great-granddaughters Iris and Lily Winkler and Louretta Salamone, and an expected fourth granddaughter, Bella Salamone; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her dearly.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at Newcomer's White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, Missouri 64119. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life commencing at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend. Sandy’s ashes will be privately placed with her loving husband, Ron, at Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Monarch Hospice at www.monarchmidwest.org.