Sandy Collins

1943 - 2023

Saundra "Sandy" Collins was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 15, 1943 to Ruth and Lawrence Griffin. She later moved to Minneapolis where she was raised by her mother, grandmother and her aunt Lucillle Anderson. Sandy and her mother then relocated to San Diego in 1950 where Sandy graduated from Lincoln High School in 1981. While in San Diego, Sandy worked for the President Pro Tem of the California Assembly, and in 1968, she was a "Bobby" Kennedy delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Sandy graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in 1969. While at UCLA, Sandy met her soulmate and love of her life, Bob Collins, and they were married November 15, 1969. It was the beginning of a 54-year marriage. In 1976, Sandy gave birth to their daughter Kelli, who later graduated from the University of California Berkeley and Southwestern Law School.
Her 36-year career as a highly recognized and beloved LAUSD educator began in 1970, teaching for 13 years in Los Angeles Elementary Schools. Her secondary career began in 1984 and included Taft and Cleveland High Schools, where she was a college counselor and assistant principal. She then became principal of Columbus Middle School in 2002 and retired in 2006. In 2007, the Collins family moved to Peoria, Arizona to be close to their daughter and grandchildren.
Sandy departed this life on Saturday, November 18, 2023 in her Arizona home after a courageous 9-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. She leaves to cherish her memory: Bob Collins (husband); Kelli Collins-Williams (daughter); Lonnie Williams (son-in-law); Caitlin, Jordan, Jasmine, Austin (grandchildren); Jim Collins (brother-in-law); Alberteen Anderson, Corrie Anderson and Cydnae Anderson (cousins); Doris Lasiter (kindred spirit); Rita Hall (beloved "sister"); Cornell Collier, Rasheen Smith, Millie Jefferson, Oralia Cabrera, Brian Schulman ("adopted" children); Carla Hernandez, Anikah Giarusso, Deshunda Peterson (caregivers); and a host of relatives, friends, former students, staff members, and colleagues.
Her career and life were defined by an everlasting concern, love and dedication to her students, colleagues and family. A "Celebration of Sandy's Life" will be held at 11:00 am, January 20, 2024 at Cleveland High School, 8140 Vanalden Avenue, Reseda, CA 91335. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cleveland High School (Sandy Collins Scholarship Fund written in memo section of the check). Please mail contributions to Cleveland High School, 8140 Vanalden Avenue, Reseda, CA. 91335