Sandra Lee "Sandy" Griego

With great sadness we share the passing of Sandra Lee Griego, née Sandra Lee Gentry, who left our family forever on December 16, 2025, in Kirkland Washington. She was an incredible woman, wife, mother and grandmother. Sandy is survived by Andy Griego, her husband of more than 50 years, and children Tony Griego and Karen Nichols. She also leaves behind three wonderful grandsons, Theo Griego and Declan and Macsen Nichols, whom she loved with all of her heart. Also surviving Sandy are her brothers Christopher and Michael Gentry.

Sandy was born on Luke Air Force Base in Tempe Arizona on February 7, 1954. Her family moved to California when she was young and she grew up in Chula Vista, California. She attended Hilltop High School and then went on to San Diego State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education in 1976.

Sandy met her husband Andy when she was in junior high and after dating all through high school and college they were married in Chula Vista in 1975. She and Andy had an amazing love story over the years, sharing fun, travel and family together. They raised two beautiful children, son Tony and daughter Karen. After several moves around the country following Andy's career they settled in Woodinville, Washington, in 1989, where she lived the rest of her life.

Sandy was a woman of great strength and energy and for more than 30 years taught children in Junior High, somehow loving those kids at that difficult age and making a huge impact on the lives of many of them. She finished her teaching career at Northshore Junior High School, where she taught for 25 years.

Christmas time was her personal Super Bowl. She loved the process of setting up and displaying her many Christmas decorations; snowmen, Santas, Nativity scenes, stars, and snowflakes and many other decorations. She put a lot of love and thought into her Christmas letters and our card, and presents and stocking gifts for me, kids and grandkids. The season really made her reflect on her family and the joy of being together.

Sandy loved to dance, travel, enjoy fine meals and experience new adventures. And she was very passionate about watching and following all of the sports teams of her beloved Washington Huskies, especially when she could see one of her former students play for them. But most of all she wanted to spend her time with family and the many friends she developed over her lifetime. She was warm, kind, and nurturing. We are all richer to have had her in our lives and she leaves behind a great legacy of family and friends. We have immense sadness now but over time will cherish the many moments of happiness we were so fortunate to have had with her.

The family will hold a memorial for Sandy on March 14, 2026, at the Hollywood Schoolhouse, 14810 NE 145th St., #A, in Woodinville, WA, from 2-5 p.m.