Sandra Jean Meyer

Sandra Jean Long, known to her friends as Sandi, with an "i", was born in Anamosa, Iowa, to Sylvia Irene (Pegorick) and Harold George Long. She had an older brother, Walter (Wally) Long, who was 18 when she was born and shortly thereafter, went into the Army during WW2. Sandi was a pleasant surprise to her parents, especially given the fact their son joined the army. After the war was over, he settled in San Francisco. His life was unexpectantly cut short in 1985.

The family moved to San Diego in 1944 when Sandi was five, where she grew up and attended Hoover High School. She met Kent there, and one month later at a sweet 16 birthday party, he asked her to go steady. They became high school sweethearts and were married the summer she graduated in 1958.

Before she met Kent, she played a season of slow pitch industrial softball for the La Mesa Merchanettes and was quite good at it, which we all witnessed at several Memorial Day picnics with TFB. She also was a good bowler and loved miniature golf as well. She became an Elvis fan, when he did a concert in San Diego in April of 1956. She never saw him in person, but loved to watch his many imitators, the last of which was here at TFB for Norma Vinsonhaler's  100th birthday.

Their love has lasted for over 60 years. On July 18th, they would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They have two children, Debbie and Steve. In 1961, they moved to Chula Vista, and a few years later to La Mesa. This was followed by a move to Oceanside in 1967, and then a move to Torrance in 1971. They have been in their current Torrance home for over 50 years, which when they first bought it, Sandi did not like, but Kent talked her into it as he said since they'd been transferring every four years anyway, it wouldn't be their last, but he was wrong. She grew to love the house and living in Torrance. They remodeled the home in 2009, and that clinched it for her.

Sandi's first job was as a cashier at The Rio Theatre near her home. After graduating from High School, she worked for Rohr Aircraft in Chula Vista as a key punch operator. Both she and Kent worked the swing shift at Rohr. Later, Kent went to work for Bank of America.

When the Bank transferred Kent to Oceanside, Sandi went to work for Canning Publication, a software consulting firm as a secretary.   When the family moved to Torrance, she was first employed by John Carboniere, an animal nutritionist, and Dick O'Brien, an executive headhunter, until they both retired. She thought she would retire then, but Debbie had other ideas and needed her as a bookkeeper at the law offices of Mix and Associates where Debbie was the Office manager. They worked together for several years until she and Kent both retired in 2003.

This gave them more time for travel. Sandi loved to travel and has been all over the world with family and friends. Notable trips include: China, Australia, Turkey, Israel, Germany, Italy, Spain, England, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America, as well as many, many places throughout the United States.

Sandi was raised Christian Science, but came to faith in Jesus in 1962, while living in La Mesa. She and Kent were both active in church for over 60 years and have been members of Torrance First Baptist Church since 1974, where Sandi developed many, many dear life-long friendships. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 26:3 "Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee."

Her family includes: Daughter, Debra Irene Nawa (Todd) and Son, Steven  Kent Meyer.  Debbie  and  Todd gave  Sandi  three  grandchildren:  Jenna Grindle (Kevin), Jeffrey Nawa (Julia) and Jelissa Sheu (Julian).  Jelissa gave Sandi her first Great Grandchild, Eliana Sheu born June 24, 2020. Steve and Mayuri gave Sandi three grandchildren, Annalyse, Arielle, and lmari. Family  get-togethers  often resulted in a houseful of noisy children, with building memories of love, fun, holidays, meals and traditions.

Sandi was a loving Wife, Mom, Mema and Great Grandma and leaves a legacy of four generations. She will definitely be missed by all.

If you would like to make a donation in Sandi's memory, please give to Doors of Hope or Beacon Light Mission.