Sandra Kay Grana

Sandra Kay Grana, 66 OCEANSIDE -- Sandra Kay Grana passed away peacefully at her home in Oceanside, Calif., on Sunday, October 24, 2010, after a brief illness. She was born in Bloomington, Illinois, on August 2, 1944, to Louis and Betty Schroeder Alvey. She graduated from Bloomington High School in 1962. Sandra had an entrepreneurial spirit, starting up several businesses. She had a great passion for animals, becoming active in the rescue of Havanese and Maltese dogs. Sandra loved spending time on the California beaches, traveling around the state with her husband in their R.V. Being a talented painter, she also painted pet portraits. She was a licensed realtor, as well. Although Sandra was very intelligent and talented, perhaps her defining moment came in her courageous battle against cancer. She loved life and simply refused to stop living and giving to others, right up to the very end. She was an optimistic fighter who inspired anyone who came in contact with her. Because of her compassionate nature, whenever she went to get her chemotherapy, she'd always stop first to get coffee and doughnuts for everyone there. She is survived by her husband, Frank Grana. They were married on September 13, 1984 in Tucson, Ariz. She is also survived by her mother; her sister-in-law, Marilee Alvey of Bloomington, Ill.; a brother-in-law, George Grana and his wife, Linda of Bergenfield, NJ; her children, Michelle Hoppe of Oceanside, Calif., Kelley Hoppe Wickenhauser and her husband Troy of Downs, Ill., and Sean Hoppe and his wife, Christine of Mackinaw, Ill.; as well as two stepdaughters, Rachel Grana and Susan Grana. She leaves four grandchildren, Cody and Cami Wickenhauser, and Austin and Addison Hoppe. Also surviving are five nieces and nephews. Very dear to her heart were her precious "babies," her pets, Pear, Sophie, Abby and Katie and her granddogs, Angel, Minnie, Mabel, Moses, Mena, Toby and Tucker. The family will hold a memorial service for Sandra in Oceanside, Calif., at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 20, 2010 at Clubhouse 2, Rancho San Luis Rey Mobile Home Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be sent to Havanese Rescue, Inc.: www.havaneserescue.com or North Central Maltese Rescue, c/o Trudy Peischl, 110 Scenic Lane, Ellensburg, Wash. 98926. Sandra was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Alvey and sister Kathy Alvey. It is a great comfort to the family to know that they are now together again. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com