Sandra Dana

Sandra Joyce (White) Dana, aged 85, of Scottsdale, passed away peacefully at her beautiful and cherished home in The Boulders (Scottsdale, Arizona) on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Born on September 3, 1940, in San Francisco, California, she was the daughter of Reginald Tyner and Grace Elaine (Mirrasoul) White.

Ms. Dana graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City in 1959 and studied psychology and art at San Jose State University as well as the University of Colorado. She married Allen Secrest, her high school sweetheart in 1960. The Secrest's first lived in Redwood City, California where their daughter Monet was born and later moved to San Carlos, recognized as the longest-running PTA fundraising event in the United States. Sandy and Allen chose to dissolve their marriage in 1975.

In the mid-1970's, Ms. Dana commenced her professional career as Vice President, Partner, and Director of Professional Gas Services, Inc. She subsequently owned HealthCare Technology, where, as Chief Executive Officer, she oversaw national marketing initiatives, new product launches, and corporate operations. Following this, she served as CEO and owner of Collectovac Inc., responsible for marketing, production management, contract sales, and employee coordination. Her businesses served the dental industry and that is where she met Don Dana, an oral surgeon.

Sandy and Don married in 1984 and built their life in Danville, California, where Sandy ventured into the interior design business. In 1993, Sandy and Don moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. Sandy focused on her design career.

Through S. Dana Designs Inc and Smith & Dana Designs, Sandy provided commercial and residential consulting from construction stages to completion. She was one of the few approved interior designers for The Boulders Resort and was responsible for remodel and design of over 40 private Villas (from 1997 to 2017) under the Boulders resort rental program. Sandy's interior design talent is showcased in far too many homes and projects to name them all, but of note would be a stunning home that was highlighted in Spectacular Homes of the Southwest (published in 2006) which was completed under the Smith & Dana Design banner. Sandy always had a fabulous sense of style and design.

Sandy treasured the last 12 years she shared with "her Billy", Bill Budris. Together they enjoyed their time in Arizona, the lake in International Falls, Minnesota, their Tiny House in the Waldport, Oregon community of Tiny Tranquility, traveling in their Airstream trailer and hanging out at Bill's home at Acoya Troon, where Billy is "the Mayor" and Sandy was "Queen Bee".

Sandy had unbridled energy, was kind, loved her friends unconditionally, was a great cook, had a generous heart and never met a problem she couldn't solve. Her great smile, active spirit, zest for life, and loving heart will be greatly missed by those of us who knew and loved her.

Along with Bill, Sandy is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Monet Joy (Secrest) Bonson, as well as her three grandsons: Derek Bonson; Travis Bonson and his husband, Aaron Delgato and Tyler Bonson and his wife, Brenna. She leaves four great-grandchildren: Alexa, Ava, Lochland, and Isla.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Reginald T. White, her husband Dr. Don Dana, and her dear son-in-law, Roger.

The family will hold private Celebration of Life events in Scottsdale on March 11 and South San Francisco on March 26.

If you wish, memorial donations in her honor can be made to support The Salvation Army or the Foothills CaringCorps.