Sandra Howell Repka

Sandra Howell Repka, 83, passed away peacefully at home in Dallas, Texas, on March 23, 2026, surrounded by her family. She will be remembered as a loving mother, sister, aunt, friend, and “Grandma” to her twenty grandchildren—and to so many others who knew and loved her. She carried that title with pride and joy.

Sandy was born on August 5, 1942, in Galveston, Texas, to Alice Dean Howell and George Anderson Cartwright.

She made life feel warm, fun, and full of love. Wonderfully and unapologetically herself, she was often found in one of her colorful muumuus, with a Coke in her hand and a full-sized Hershey bar in her purse. She was strong, determined, and deeply devoted to her family. Nothing mattered more to her than being a mother, aunt, and grandmother.

Sandy had a gift for making people feel special, safe, and loved. She celebrated our joys, carried our worries, and created a deep sense of belonging for everyone around her.

As a preschool teacher at Kid Kountry, she touched countless lives. She became “Grandma” to her students as well, staying in touch and cheering them on long after they left her classroom. She loved being surrounded by children and creating a joyful, caring environment for them.

An incredibly talented seamstress, she poured love into everything she made—from Easter dresses and Christmas stockings for her

grandchildren to hats and robes for her children’s bands, Tripping Daisy and The Polyphonic Spree.

She was also a true lover of rock and roll—from seeing The Beatles in her twenties to sitting on her special stool at the edge of the stage at her children’s concerts, right there in the crowd, even into her 80s. She loved music that was upbeat and full of energy—a true rock and roll grandma.

She taught us to find joy in simple things: spicy sausage on a stick from the State Fair, hiding the golden egg at easter, jack in the box tacos, a trip to Target, but most of all laughter, and time spent together. We will miss her voice, her humor, her sassy spirit, and the comfort of her presence. Though the space she leaves feels immeasurable, her love remains woven into our lives—guiding us, comforting us, and living on in the family she so beautifully built. “It takes a village” she would say, and she loved her village.

Sandra is survived by her children: Julie Doyle, Kevin Doyle, Billy “Bubba” Doyle, Blake Repka, and Ronald Repka; her son-in-law, Tim DeLaughter; her daughters-in-law, Angie Repka and Robin Repka; her nieces and nephews: Stevie Burrell, Jason Burrell, and Michelle Marshall; her grandchildren: Cassandra Askin, Jessica Askin, Savannah Askin, Kadi Creel, Stella DeLaughter, Oscar DeLaughter, Julius DeLaughter, Felix DeLaughter, Kyle Repka, Kelly Siversten, Mallorie Rodgers, and Skyler Repka; and her great-grandchildren: Bella Repka, Kaylee Siversten, Piper Siversten, Alice Repka, Audrey Repka, Davis Rodgers, and Vera Rodgers.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Alice Howell; her father, George Cartwright; her sisters, Georgiana Rushing and Jeanine Burrell; her daughter, Sabrina Askin; her son-in-law, Stephen Askin; her great-grandchild, Chloe Repka; and her husbands, George Repka, Jay Dodd, and Billy Doyle Sr.

A Celebration of Sandy’s Life will be held on April 12 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park (1539 S Second Ave, Dallas, TX).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Community Partners of Dallas or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital