One Hundred Years of Memories of Florence Winifred Sand On January 2, 2017, Florence Winifred Sand left us to be reunited with her beloved husband, Lawrence Albert (Al) Sand who passed away on November 5, 2006. She was born on December 4, 1916 and lived to celebrate her 100th birthday with her immediate family. Florence was born in Tacoma, Washington, but was raised by her mother Winifred Ganes, in San Francisco. They frequently changed residences causing Florence to attend 18 different schools before she graduated from high school. On a trip to Seattle, she was introduced to Al Sand. They only needed three dates before they knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. They married on August 1, 1936 and celebrated 70 years of a wonderful marriage prior to Al's passing. Al always called Florence his little doll and she enjoyed the attention. All three of their children were born while they lived in a small one bedroom apartment in Georgetown at 6202 Corson Avenue, which is now the site of a gas station and convenience store. There was a large lot across from their home where the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus would set up. Never afraid of taking a chance, Florence and her three girls would sneak under the tent to watch the circus. On one occasion, a little person with the circus caught them sneaking in, but instead of kicking them out, he gave them a tour showing them how a circus was run. The apartment was also in the flight pattern of Boeing Field. Planes taking off and landing would pass directly over their apartment. It was said that when they first moved into the apartment, Florence would walk to Boeing Field to watch the planes. The Field at that time was a training site for pilots in the U.S. Army Aircorp Pre World War Two. Some of the pilots would ask her if she wanted to go for a ride. Without hesitation she would say "sure". When Al would come home from work and ask Florence what she had done that day, she would respond, "Oh nothing much other than go for a ride in an airplane". In 1950, the Sand family moved into a four bedroom, two bathroom house on Beacon Hill directly across from Cleveland High School. It was convenient for the girls and Florence was very involved in the activities in which the girls chose to participate. Florence was an excellent seamstress and would sew for the girls. The girls remember the clothes that she made for them and especially the formals for the proms and special occasions. Florence volunteered to work on the precinct's election committee at the high school where the voting took place. She did this for many years and enjoyed the opportunity to visit with the people who showed up to vote. She also was a Red Cross volunteer, helping out at blood drawings and other Red Cross activities. After the family moved to the house on Beacon Hill, Al Sand went to work as a salesman for Buchan Bakers, which was later purchased by the Oroweat Company. Florence would do demonstrations for Al in the grocery stores that he serviced, enjoying every opportunity to greet and serve people. Located just around the corner from the Sand house and across the street from the high school was a lunch shop called Eagles Roost. Florence would work there during lunch time when the Cleveland students would go there to eat. She loved interacting with the kids and was on a first name basis with many of them. Many of Al's family members were located in the Tacoma area. Each month Al and Florence would travel to Tacoma for lunch with the family members. After Al's passing and into her mid 90's, Florence would make the trip down I-5 to attend the luncheons. Florence's driver's license was still current when she passed away. When Al retired from the Oroweat Company, Florence and Al went to work for the Avis Rental Car Company, moving cars from one location to another. This included driving to towns as far away as Portland and Spokane. A special thanks goes to Alex and Nadia Yarin who own The House of Hope, the assisted living home where Florence spent the last two years of her life. The family appreciates the exemplary care she was given in a very clean and homey environment. Also a thank you for the tremendous support and love that Shelley's good friend Shirley Sundquist has shown for Florence and the family. Florence was preceded in death by her husband Al Sand and her mother Winifred Ganes, grandchildren Heidi Templeton and Brad Bushman. She is survived by her three daughters, Sandra Sand Bieloh (Bill), Linda Sand Bushman (Bob), and Shelley Sand. Also by grandchildren Brent Bieloh, Brooke Bieloh, Belinda Forrest (Nick), Rob Bushman, Amy Jo Powell (Rick), Robyn Hawley, and great grandchildren, Tarryn Bieloh, Jake Forrest, Ashley Bushman Woolls (Craig), Robert Bushman, Kennedy Powell, Parker Powell, Amanda Bushman, Delaney Bushman, Nicolaus Templeton, and Tyler Templeton. Florence will always be remembered as a loving wife and a caring mother and for certain she will keep the Angels on their toes. At Florence's request, there will be no funeral or celebration of life. Anyone choosing to make a donation in Florence's name should do so to the . Guestbook at www.newtacoma.com