In Memory of Sandy Isomoto -
Sandy's Biography

Sandra Jean Isomoto was the eldest child of Seiji and Dorothy Isomoto. She was born on September 26, 1945, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where her dad was stationed at Fort Snelling during the war. After his discharge from the army, the family traveled briefly through Chicago, finally settling in Los Angeles in 1946

Sandy attended Maryknoll School, then went on to St. Mary's Academy, a "red tie" graduate, class of 1963. She received her bachelor and master's degrees along with the teaching credential from Cal State Los Angeles.

In her youth, Sandy was active in Girl Scouts, CYO and was always proud that she played the bass bugle for the championship Maryknoll Drum and Bugle Corps. Her first jobs included mail order house collator, paper deliverer for Rafu Shimpo, and waitress at Newbery's food counter.

After graduating from Cal State Los Angeles, Sandy started her teaching career at Euclid Avenue Elementary School in 1967. Not only did she touch the lives of her first graders but those of their parents and her colleagues. As time went by, so did her interests and her influence. She attended many conferences and classes on math, science and early childhood and later presented workshops at these conferences. She was very enthusiastic about trying everything she learned. Sandy was willing to share her knowledge and expertise with any and everyone.

She loved the children and enjoyed making learning fun for all. She loved her work but also loved living and showed it in many ways. With her friends at Euclid, she planned many activities... weekly bowling leagues, weekend trips to Las Vegas and Tahoe, the race tracks and even ditching school to go skiing.

Sandy encouraged her friends to sign up for classes and trips overseas. Many of her friends remember these trips to Mexico, England, Spain, Austria, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Russia, Baja, Canada, cruises to Florida, the Carribean, Alaska, through the Panama Canal, and visits to New York, Hawaii, etc. Whenever she returned from these trips, she brought presents home for her family and friends along with a list of new found friends.

In 1979 she took her first sabbatical and left Euclid. The following year she went to First Street School where she taught for three years. She also took an out-of-classroom position and worked with parents at that school. In 1983 she left the school site and took a job at the District bilingual office. She was the Asian Languages Pre-K resource teacher (KEYS). In 1988 she left the District Offices and went to Alexandria Elementary School where she held several positions.

Sandy was a take-charge person. Some would call it "bossy." She had a special skill of getting everyone involved; no one was left out. She looked for great bargains and loved sales... "that's the only way to shop!" She enjoyed all kinds of food and to her everyone had a specialty... Mrs. Taga's banana cake, Keiko's oxtail soup, Auntie Dorothy's zucchini bread, Tak's cucumbers and eggplants, Manuel's meatloaf, etc. In true Sandy fashion, she wanted to share these treats with everyone who happened to come by. She also knew what everyone liked... "Cathy loves chocolates, Becky would love the guacamole, Jacquie would like this bread," and out would come the ziplock bag she carried in her purse. She never came home without treats for her family and friends... the "leftovers" from local restaurants as well as a suitcase full of saimin from Kauai, black and white cookies from New York, chichi dango from Honolulu.

Sandy "inherited" her artistic bent from her mom, often presenting family and friends with her homemade photo and greeting cards and other artistic pursuits which she always created with care and love. She limited her cooking skills to a few choice recipes which she perfected and was especially proud that she was the 'caretaker' of the family chili recipe, a well guarded secret.

It was from here dad that Sandy's passion for movies, good food, horse racing (she wouldn't think of missing opening day), and love of the game were culled. She would often make those late-night runs with him, taking in a late show, stopping to "take out" or "eat in". Although Sandy played a little volleyball, it was as a spectator that brought her enjoyment whether it was professional sports or cheering on her family at school sports events. She was the ever present fan. In recent years, she became a member of a teachers' movie group and discovered the joys of fine dining, especially in New York where she thrived in the energy of the city.

In the final two months of her life she has done a tremendous amount of traveling. Her travels included trips to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Hawaii, twice to New York and a cruise to Mexico. Of course, that also meant going to lots of fine eating places.

Sandy leaves her mother, Dorothy, brothers, Bobby and Billy, sisters, Jacquie and Becky, numerous family members, countless friends, and her beloved students. Her circle of family and friends was so large there was no room for anyone to be outside of the circle.

Sandy, you have left your indelible mark and we thank you for your loyalty, generosity, and love for us all. We will miss your good humor and wit, your boundless energy and yes, even your bossy ways! You were always in charge and you still are.

Your smiling face will be forever imprinted in our minds and we will hold you dearly in our hearts each day, always remembering, never forgetting your joie de vivre---your joy of life---which you lived to the fullest.