Mary Francis Sand

On the morning of August 17th, 2015, Mary Francis Sand went quietly and peacefully into the arms of Jesus. Mary was born on May 7, 1933 to Stella (Roys) Bryan and Gordon Bryan in Wenatchee. The family lived in Wenatchee for the first couple of years, and then moved up to the homestead of her grandparents, Herb and Maude Roys up the Entiat valley. There she was raised on their apple ranch along the Entiat River. In 1939, her sister Betty was born. The two girls loved raising chickens, planting gardens, fishing, camping, playing piano, and frolicking along the shores of the Entiat River. Mary was a natural with animals; she could charm anything, especially chickens. Her favorite was her rooster, Oscar. Mary enjoyed attending school in Entiat and remained faithful to her alma mater throughout her life. She was involved in band, choir, drama, and enjoyed all the work that went into preparing for every school dance. In 1952, her senior year, she was crowned Princess Entiat. After graduation, Mary worked at the Will E. Risk Mercantile in Entiat for one year. She then attended Wenatchee Valley College. She was fortunate enough to get housing at the Wells House girls dormitory. There she made a number of lifelong friends and also sang with the Wells House Trio. She became secretary for Dean Helen Van Tassell, who became a mentor to her and a dear friend. In return, Mary lovingly cared for Helen as old age began to catch up with her. In 1955, Mary graduated from Wenatchee Valley College and began attending Central Washington University to pursue a degree in elementary education. It was there she met her future husband, Edward Sand, in the Central Singers Choir. They both had a love for music and were both presidents of their dorms. Not long after graduating from Central, Mary and Ed were married on August 10, 1957. They then made their home in East Wenatchee and both began teaching in the new East Wenatchee School District. Mary taught one year of 1st grade to 48 kids in the East Wenatchee Elementary School. When their son Brian was born in 1958, she decided to devote her full attention to raising a family. She continued to contribute to the family finances through a successful piano teaching business. She loved teaching music to children and continued to do so as Cary, Penny and Mandy were added to the family. Mary dedicated 40 years of her life instilling a love and passion for music in countless children. Mary was always active in the community. She was a faithful member of Holy Apostles Church and was Principal of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program for many years. Mary and Ed always made sure the church had a big choir for Christmas Eve and Easter morning masses, where she played the church organ. Mary wrote for the East Valley News in the early 1970's, reporting on recent club meetings, birthday parties, and cultural events. One of her favorite creative outlets was partnering with Ed to help with the Wenatchee Apollo Club. Although she helped run all the social and reception aspects of the club, she actually did much more. She used her musical talents and love of verse to help choose music and plan themes for their program. Perhaps her biggest legacy was helping write the words to the club's theme song, "Our Way." Another matter dear to her heart was the Wells House. In 1972, Mary and some of her Wenatchee Valley College friends heard that the college intended to bulldoze the house because it was in such a state of disrepair. Mary ,along with some of her former Wells House roommates and fellow alumni, started the Save Wells House Committee. Through their tireless efforts, campaigning, and their persistent attendance at every College board meeting over a four year period, the building was finally deeded over to them in 1976, and placed on the National Historic Register. At that time they decided to become the Wells House Committee Inc. Over the next several decades, a great deal of effort went into refurbishing the building to its original beauty. Wells House was Mary's true labor of love. She served as president until she retired in 2004 due to poor health. Mary was content with the simple things in life. The view of the Cascades out her dining room window ,the smell of the violets in her yard, the sound of the roaring Entiat River, and the playful laughter of her family. She will be greatly missed and we rejoice for her as she now enjoys the beauty of her new heavenly home. Survivors include her husband, Edward Sand, Her sister, Betty Tyler ,her children Brian(Diane) Sand, Cary(Teri) Sand, Penny Buffington, and Mandy(Greg) Bush. Mary had 12 grandchildren and 2 great grand daughters. There will be a rosary service on Wednesday, August 26th at Telford's Chapel of the Valley at 7:00 pm. Her funeral mass will be on Thursday, August 27th at Holy Apostles Catholic Church in East Wenatchee at 11:00 am. Contributions to her memory may be made to the Wenatchee Valley Museum for the Wells House Memorial Fund. (127 South Mission, Wenatchee)

Mary Francis Sand

May 7, 1933 - August 17, 2015