Patricia Sands

1960 - 2012

Patricia Elizabeth Sands passed away from Ovarian Cancer on August 17, 2012 peacefully at home with loving family and friends surrounding her. She was born on July 12, 1960 in Newton, Massachusetts. Always a top student, she made her way to California and received her B.A. and M.A. in Special Education from Point Loma Nazarene College in San Diego. She was recognized as a dedicated educator specializing in Special Education at Desert Sands Unified School District from 1985 to the present, working at both Kennedy and LBJ Elementary Schools. At these schools, her colleagues, students, and parents were inspired by her determination and dedication to give her students the tools to succeed. She was an active member, until recently, of Alpha Delta Kappa, An International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators. Her smile brightened up any room, and the things that brought her true joy were beachcombing, her animals, writing, and birding. She is preceded in death by her father, Douglas, and leaves behind her mother, Ginny Sands, brothers Don, Roger, Gary and her sister Heidi Sands, nieces Melanie, Katie, Colleen, nephews Joseph and Kevin, and her partner of 24 years, Shirley Wilhelmsen, of Cathedral City. A Celebration of Life Service will be held privately. A public memorial will be held by the staff of LBJ Elementary School at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations may be made to Gilda's Club of the Desert in Cathedral City in Patricia's name.