Joan Holloway Sandler

Joan Holloway Sandler died Friday, April 13 at home surrounded by loved ones.

She was born April 21, 1936 in Aberdeen, and was raised in Montesano, county seat of Grays Harbor, where her grandparents AW and Margaret Holloway were original settlers.

She obtained her RN degree at the University of Washington in 1959 and was head nurse for Belding Scribner’s renal dialysis team when UW Hospital opened its doors that year.

She met the love of her life, Hal Sandler, while a student in training on 2N at Harborview Hospital in 1956 and he a resident in Medicine — marrying in Montesano April 16, 1961.

After serving several years on the faculty of UW, the Sandlers moved to the San Fransisco Bay area where Hal worked 25 years for NASA and at Stanford University. She lived the past 29 years of retirement on Bainbridge Island.

She was dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others and always did volunteer work: with Beyond War in California, PEO, Bargain Boutique of Bainbridge Island and as “Blood Pressure Lady” at its senior center.

She impressed all with the importance of leaving the world a better place than we found it — showing by example virtues of kindness and compassion to all. She strongly believed in the principle of “paying it forward.” What will be missed most is her smile, her laughter and her jokes — encouraging us to learn to forgive ourselves, as well as others, despite our frequent missteps. Her love of life was infectious.

Joan loved music; she was a regular member of the Evergreen Singers and Renaissance Jazz vocal groups. A master and passionate gardener, she had an intense love of nature and found deep joy in the woods.

She is survived by her husband; two daughters Beth (James) Dunn of Richmond, California and Margaret Sandler of Bainbridge Island; and four granddaughters: Catherine, Madeleine and Lucy Dunn, and Olivia Sandler.

A celebration of life was held Sunday, April 29 at Huney Hall in the Bainbridge Island Senior Center.