Join us in celebrating the life of Sandra Joy Storch. Please leave a comment, share a story or memory, and upload a photo(s) in the "Memories & Condolences" tab under her main photo. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial for Sandi.
OBITUARY
Sandra Joy Storch passed away on the morning of April 12, 2020. She was a kind, sharing and loving woman who is deeply loved and missed by her sons, Jeremy and Max, her partner Bob, her brother Kenneth, many other relatives, and a large number of friends whose lives she touched..
Sandi was born in Brooklyn after her late sister, Corinne, to Dave Storch and Ruth (Levine) Storch. She spent her youth in the Coney Island area,... see more
Sandra Joy Storch passed away on the morning of April 12, 2020. She was a kind, sharing and loving woman who is deeply loved and missed by her sons, Jeremy and Max, her partner Bob, her brother Kenneth, many other relatives, and a large number of friends whose lives she touched..
Sandi was born in Brooklyn after her late sister, Corinne, to Dave Storch and Ruth (Levine) Storch. She spent her youth in the Coney Island area, frequenting the Atlantic coast beaches in pursuit of her dreams to live as a mermaid. After earning her RD at SUNY Albany, she moved to California to obtain her Master’s in Public Health from UC Berkeley. Sandi spent her career as a nutritionist with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) agency, specializing in breastfeeding and lactation consulting. Her professional highlights included helping organize the Guinness World Record for the most women breastfeeding at once (1,130 mothers in Berkeley, CA – 2002) and working with her “BAD girls” to deliver breastfeeding support to underserved communities in the East Bay. Sandi approached those in her life those with an infectiously sincere, curious, and compassionate mind.She was an outdoor enthusiast and celebrated the completion of chemotherapy and recovery from lymphoma in 2007 by both walking across the Grand Canyon and climbing Mount Whitney with friends. Sandi enjoyed national and world travel on a shoestring and was a lifelong amateur artist, working with jewelry, paintings, and gems. The next time you find yourself in front of a Calder, Rothko, or O'Keeffe, spend a moment to be with Sandi.
We will hold memorial services once restrictions on travel and group gatherings are lifted.
Sandi and I started out as neighbors, but after we both experienced our respective divorces we grew to be kindred spirits and close friends. Our regular walks/runs/climbs in the 'hood afforded us the opportunity to see each other several times a week... moreSandi and I started out as neighbors, but after we both experienced our respective divorces we grew to be kindred spirits and close friends. Our regular walks/runs/climbs in the 'hood afforded us the opportunity to see each other several times a week for many years. In time we knew almost everything about each other and learned that we had more in common than initially thought. I miss having Sandi to tell my innermost thoughts to, to run to for advice, and to just ventilate to when I was at a low point. In addition to hiking and health we shared a mutual respect for the environment and often spent time during our walks up Bay O'Vista re-organizing residents' waste bins to help them comply with the recycling rules (unbeknownst to the residents!) Sandi's early departure from this earth has left a hole in my heart that will never be filled. I miss her every day and know I will never meet anyone who will quite fill this void. Rest in peace, my dear friend. I know you are keeping heaven oxalis-free! less
Sandi, Bob and I first met when my husband Mark and I hosted a gathering to make fermented vegetables at my house. Two things were abundantly clear that night.
1. Dear Sandi, You Ferment for me! (One of you will surely know the melody to this old... moreSandi, Bob and I first met when my husband Mark and I hosted a gathering to make fermented vegetables at my house. Two things were abundantly clear that night.
1. Dear Sandi, You Ferment for me! (One of you will surely know the melody to this old standard!)
2. You were so good at the cultured veggie thing that forevermore, in our household, you became known as "Sauerkraut Sandi."
To add to my adoration, or add icing to the cake, or hot chilis to the Kim Chi, you and Bob were fermenting vegetables you had grown yourselves and spicing them up with POTENT PEPPERS!
Such fine cooks!! Turkey soups, home-made bread, gorgeous abundant salads spiced with wonderful stories about travels, family funnies, and being a lactation consultant for years with the WIC program. We spoke in Spanish together ~ just because we could and both of us wanted to stay in practice.
I enjoyed every minute for the too short time I knew you, Sandi... from hikes you showed this newbie to the Bay Area, to the Frankenstein Ballet in San Francisco with you and Debby, to noon-time concerts at Berkeley's Music Theater, you showed me places I never would have found on my own. Thank you.
We savored dinner together at our home in January 2020, and watched a movie. Over dessert, you talked about something that was off in your body. Some mysterious malady that took you over at unbelievable speed. For me, the shock of it was the second worst part. The first worst was you not wanting anyone but Bob and family around you for those last months. I missed being able to tell you how much I valued our time together and offer comfort and a fond farewell.
Unequivocally, I HATE CANCER!
May you be dancing with star wranglers, dear Sandi. May your soul be soaring with angels who love Rock 'n' Roll. May you return to this wild weird wonder-filled world to share the wisdom you've gathered over many lifetimes, and may I recognize you, and may you recognize me so we can take up where we left off -- hiking, walk/talking, enjoying cultural outings and remembering how You Ferment for Me... I was meant for you, my Sauerkraut Sandi friend. (Wishing I could print the musical notations and lyrics for that oldie.
Love you, dear friend.
Dear Max, Jeremy, Mike, and Bob, and all the dear ones gathered for Sandi today,
Thank you for nurturing the beautiful soul Sandi so we could all benefit from the gifts she brought to the planet. Radiant, open face, thoughtful converser, intelligence off the scale, and a sense of humor that was contagious. Sandi's kindness to others was inspiring. She seemed to see the human inside every person she met and offer them dignity, respect, and a curiosity that drew them out. I witnessed, as we walked one day across the Berkeley campus, how sensitive she was to a man who appeared to be without a home. She offered up food and some bills with grace and one of those genuine beaming smiles, as if it were the most natural thing to share what she had with another human who was down on his luck.
Ah, I learned so much from your mom, your partner, your sister, your aunt.
One fine summer day, about four years ago, when nephew Zachary was visiting, Sandi, Zach, my granddaughter Devlyn and I went to the Lawrence Hall of Science. It took us quite a while to get inside, because Zach and Devlyn were having such immense fun climbing on the five foot tall, fifty-foot long DNA replica and gigantic whale outside on the front patio. We must've spent a good thirty to forty minutes cheering on the climbers, who were about eight-years-old at the time. Sandi and I were having interstitial conversations in between the cheering on
Aah. EVERY time with Sandi was a GREAT TIME!
Much love surrounding you this day as you recollect your own stories and share them. So much of healing is about finding meaning in what seems so meaningless. My guess is that each of you was loved by Sandi in some unique and character-building way. Her focus was always somewhere just beyond the mundanity of this world and hooked onto something just over the horizon... some star or essence unknown was guiding her on to share a perspective that we are much more than we think we are. We are Stardust, We are Golden... and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden (Joni Mitchell).
May you be well. May you remember your time spent with Sandra Storch. May you manifest your dreams - knowing there's a little angel on your shoulder with the most radiant smile a human could hope to have.
Goddess speed on your healing, All. May She hold you in the hollow of her hand.
When I think of Sandi:
• I think of her passion for life.
• I think of the nicknames she gave people. She called me Tomasso!
• I think of her willingness to embrace new experiences and the courage of her convictions, especially on controversial... moreWhen I think of Sandi:
• I think of her passion for life.
• I think of the nicknames she gave people. She called me Tomasso!
• I think of her willingness to embrace new experiences and the courage of her convictions, especially on controversial issues.
• I think of her commitment to the earth and the environment.
• I think of her boundless energy.
• I think of her beautiful smile and warm eyes.
• I think of her frankness and honesty.
• I think of her love for her sons Max and Jeremy and her life partner Bob.
• I think of how fortunate I was to have met and enjoyed knowing Sandi and of how sad I am that she is no longer here on this earth. less
Shortly after college, Sandi & friends arranged to meet in San Francisco at the Pied Piper lounge of the Palace Hotel. When I arrived, the group already had drinks and hors d'oeuvres on the table. Sandi, the unquestioned expert in nutrition,... moreShortly after college, Sandi & friends arranged to meet in San Francisco at the Pied Piper lounge of the Palace Hotel. When I arrived, the group already had drinks and hors d'oeuvres on the table. Sandi, the unquestioned expert in nutrition, prompted me to dig into the finger food they had ordered. Note: The Pied Piper is a lounge, the lighting is subdued, so how could I know before biting in that the starters on the plate consisted of plastic food MODELS that Sandi brought from the clinic! The ribs were especially chewy. Oh Sandy!!!
Photo: Sandi and college friends about the same time frame (December 1980) as the story above. Marvelous memories; we miss you Sandi! less
Mike Broad
Dan, you weren't the only one fooled by Sandi's Tomfoolery with the food models...I remember snapping up a "rib" and my teeth bouncing back from its rubbery surface...everybody laughed and laughed..
I met Sandi at an International Chat Masters event when Max brought her mom to the party. She was bright and warm. Learning about her life here and thinking of some of her influence I saw in Max, I feel so lucky that I have known such an incredible... moreI met Sandi at an International Chat Masters event when Max brought her mom to the party. She was bright and warm. Learning about her life here and thinking of some of her influence I saw in Max, I feel so lucky that I have known such an incredible woman. May her spirit live on in the hearts she touched❤️ less
We met in Passover 2005 - always happy, smiling and full of life.
You impressed me with how simple you packed in no time for backpacking.
We, the tall and the short, took a 5 days backpacking journey into the Grand Canyon (N.Rim to Hermit... moreSandi,
We met in Passover 2005 - always happy, smiling and full of life.
You impressed me with how simple you packed in no time for backpacking.
We, the tall and the short, took a 5 days backpacking journey into the Grand Canyon (N.Rim to Hermit S.Rim), which turned to be THE BEST I ever had.
Some of my memories:
• A rainstorm hit to give us incredible waterfalls and flash floods
• The noise that woke us up in Indian Garden were we almost offered help
• That spider that got us setting the tent in our last night
• The pretzels you brought in your car which on the ride back we noticed were opened and enjoyed by unknown creatures. They had made such a mess in the trunk that we did not noticed till we stopped later.
I’ll never forget how you made fun of my accent pronouncing flash floods as flush floods - we laughed few days about that in the Grand Canyon, and I still cannot pronounce it right till this day.
You called me the Grand Canyon Fairy- which I have adopted since.
Sandi -- such a lovely woman. Serene, kind, inquisitive, helpful, humorous...what would we have done without you? What great luck that you and your family moved to Rodney Drive! Raising our boys together, through thick and thin...ever true, so many... moreSandi -- such a lovely woman. Serene, kind, inquisitive, helpful, humorous...what would we have done without you? What great luck that you and your family moved to Rodney Drive! Raising our boys together, through thick and thin...ever true, so many memories to cherish. R.I.P. my friend. less
Dearest Sandi,
I am going to echo the same as everyone else, and express my sadness that you are no longer with us :(. I have very fond memories of you and your family, dating as far back to when I was in grade school.
I will always remember the dinner... moreDearest Sandi,
I am going to echo the same as everyone else, and express my sadness that you are no longer with us :(. I have very fond memories of you and your family, dating as far back to when I was in grade school.
I will always remember the dinner parties my family and I would attend at your house. I had a great time playing in the backyard with Max, Jeremy and the other kids who had been invited. Those were a lot of fun!
What will always stick out in my mind was when you invited me to go whitewater rafting with you, Max and Jeremy. This was the first time I had travelled with you for an overnight trip without my parent's. The other times we had travelled with our families were for camping trips. During the whitewater rafting trip, you really put me at ease about the excursion since I was very nervous. (It was my first time doing this). Since then I have gone on a few other whitewater rafting trips!
I will always remember how you called me "Emilita". Nobody in my family has called me by that name. It will always be your name for me :).
Thank you for being such a great friend to myself and to my parent's. I'm grateful to have Max and Jeremy as my friend's.
Take care, Sandi. Thanks for the memories. less
Thank you again, Max and Jeremy, for reading this love note to your mom that I wrote for her when Covid kept us apart.
Dearest Sandi - First Memory-Your long “NY” blonde hair sparkled in the evening twilight. We waited with Elaine to see Alice’s... moreThank you again, Max and Jeremy, for reading this love note to your mom that I wrote for her when Covid kept us apart.
Dearest Sandi - First Memory-Your long “NY” blonde hair sparkled in the evening twilight. We waited with Elaine to see Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland. Perfect beginning. We were 20 and our life adventures crisscrossing and in tandem was just to start.
Our 20 y/o energy was electric. Jogging, jazz, hiking, clubbing, Prospect Park cross country skiing. We explored a new world with 20 y/o’s freshness.
Off to CA you went. 5 months later, me too, not fully knowing then what sparked this move.
Sandi, the sparkle in your eyes is a clue to the creative, intelligent person you are and which infuse your words and actions. You probably hadn’t fully seen the radiant bright beam of light that you project onto the world, onto the people you are close to.
I have been so fortunate to have you in my life as a best friend, sister all these years. You have been a loving, caring friend. And, We had so much fun together!
I love you,
Barbara Feinstein less
Aunt Sandi you will be truly missed💗 your such an amazing woman! Spending all of our Christmas mornings together with the family was so memorable, please hug and kiss grandma and grandpa for me 💖 you will forever be in my ❤️ attached is a... moreAunt Sandi you will be truly missed💗 your such an amazing woman! Spending all of our Christmas mornings together with the family was so memorable, please hug and kiss grandma and grandpa for me 💖 you will forever be in my ❤️ attached is a photo of Tiffany and I on your wedding day! 💕 it’s sad to say goodbye so I rather say see you later 💝 Max and Jeremy I love you both and I am here if you need anything! less
Aunt Sandi you will be truly missed???? your such an amazing woman! Spending all of our Christmas mornings together with the family was so memorable, please hug and kiss grandma and grandpa for me ???? you will forever be in my ❤️ attached is a... moreAunt Sandi you will be truly missed???? your such an amazing woman! Spending all of our Christmas mornings together with the family was so memorable, please hug and kiss grandma and grandpa for me ???? you will forever be in my ❤️ attached is a photo of Tiffany and I on your wedding day! ???? it’s sad to say goodbye so I rather say see you later ???? Max and Jeremy I love you both and I am here if you need anything!
"Max & Jeremy, my heart is so sadden by the loss of ur Mom!!! Wonder spirit of Joy & Love that she. Revealed to all of us… We had a lot of Family Celebrations that are wonderful Memories for us to carry in our hearts and in our... moreThis from Aunt Cathy
"Max & Jeremy, my heart is so sadden by the loss of ur Mom!!! Wonder spirit of Joy & Love that she. Revealed to all of us… We had a lot of Family Celebrations that are wonderful Memories for us to carry in our hearts and in our minds💖 Sandi you will be so very missed & you have left us with two wonderful souls on this earth that we get the opportunity to watch them grow and prosperinto loving caring men...You will be so Dearly Missed & Max & Jer Auntie & Uncle are there for you for Life!!! Love to all!" less
Aunt sandi, your smile will forever be remembered. I remember as a young child how she used to eat raw vegetables just plain out of a bowl and wishing I could do that! As I got older and had my first baby I used WIC and I would tell her that I was... moreAunt sandi, your smile will forever be remembered. I remember as a young child how she used to eat raw vegetables just plain out of a bowl and wishing I could do that! As I got older and had my first baby I used WIC and I would tell her that I was breastfeeding (I was not) so she would go in a change my Vouchers to no formula! So I had no choice but to breast feed. And I am thankful for it! Even as you weren’t feeling well you still had such a positive outlook.The last text I got from you is the best way to remember you. We lost some years but you were always my Aunt and never anything else. Love always Tiffany. less
Sandi, you came into my life in 1977. I will never forget the afternoon we met at the U.S. China Peoples Friendship meeting at the Student Union at U.C. Berkeley. I knew right from the get-go that you were special: your beauty, your smile, and your... moreSandi, you came into my life in 1977. I will never forget the afternoon we met at the U.S. China Peoples Friendship meeting at the Student Union at U.C. Berkeley. I knew right from the get-go that you were special: your beauty, your smile, and your desire to make this world a better place to live for everybody. "Honor labor" you would say. Your creative spirit infused out lives together and sparked our imaginations. Who will ever forget when you suggested we become magnets for Halloween, attracting and repelling each other, running back and forth throughout the party. Or when you were the High Priestess of the cone strainers, a product I was producing as a welder. Your creative spirit followed us wherever we went, like at a street festival where we donned costumes and sat for pictures.
As a mother you helped create and foster two wonderful boys, now men. You knew the value of our travels as we both agreed that taking Max and Jeremy out of school for one of our adventures was a valuable learning experience all in itself. You nurtured, loved and supported our family, while providing to the people of Alameda County through your work at WIC; support, instruction and food vouchers that made your client's lives just a little bit better.
You loved your friends and enjoyed your time jogging Lake Merrit or bonding over each other's children. Leading to regular gatherings, bringing people together at Hanukkah, Christmas, Birthdays and Passover. Your love of cooking fed our souls and nurtured our bodies. I will never forget the Tofu Cheesecake!
As a concerned environmentalist, you were on the forefront of conservation. Recycling and reusing and doing what you could to help the environment. Through Max's education and leadership, we both got involved in Citizens Climate Lobby. An organization seeking to put a price on carbon with the money raised going back to the American people in the form a dividend. You tabled at events seeking to bring people of all persuasions into the understanding that a market based solution to climate change is not only possible but can be beneficial to the economy.
After we separated as husband and wife, you kept an open heart and mind to me and we eventually became, once again, wonderful and trusting friends. You will stay in my heart, always. Always. Mike less
Sandi— You were always kind to me and it was my honor to have become your family.
It was a pleasure to be together chatting while taking a walk when we met, and by emails from overseas.
Thank you for your love and support for David Takara and Talia... moreSandi— You were always kind to me and it was my honor to have become your family.
It was a pleasure to be together chatting while taking a walk when we met, and by emails from overseas.
Thank you for your love and support for David Takara and Talia Karin.
My thoughts are with you. less
I’ll always remember the time we gathered for Thanksgiving's day. It was so fun cooking with you, and I feel more than glad to be your niece. Thank you for supporting me for my entrance exam for Junior high. I will miss you.
"Feel the Love " is what our shirts read and boy did this phrase transcend work and breastfeeding! Sandi was my boss, my mentor, my sounding board, my go-to and one of my frontline cheerleaders. She was my "Vanilla mom" and... more"Feel the Love " is what our shirts read and boy did this phrase transcend work and breastfeeding! Sandi was my boss, my mentor, my sounding board, my go-to and one of my frontline cheerleaders. She was my "Vanilla mom" and "Grandma Sandi" to my kids.
I was one of four breastfeeding counselors that she hired in 2004 to start off what would become one of the most successful support programs in our county. I remember her telling me that she wasn't sure if I was a good fit because I was too professional. Boy did she learn the versitility of Black girl magic! And in turn.. I learned and was able to experience how two people from different backgrounds... generations... and walks of life can become so close...like true family.
I literally mourned Sandi when she retired in 2012. My heart was crushed and the sadness took a long time to subside. This feeling took me by surprise. And here I am again... experiencing a deep loss. But this time I can smile just knowing that she is in peace and that her love, light and legacy lives on. I Love you Grandma Sandi!!
~ Allana ( One of your BAD Girls) less
Sandi and I became sisters when her dad married my mom circa 1967 or so. That she and I were a year apart, both tall and lanky was a bonus. I have so many fun memories of times shared with Sandi in our teenage years. We would go into "the... moreSandi and I became sisters when her dad married my mom circa 1967 or so. That she and I were a year apart, both tall and lanky was a bonus. I have so many fun memories of times shared with Sandi in our teenage years. We would go into "the city", NY, for a day out. We would say, "let's buy each other a present". There was usually a dollar cap of $5 or $10 and we would split up and plan on meeting back at a set time with a gift for the other. That's just one of many warm memories. When I saw her in February and she was going through her possessions she asked me if I wanted anything special and to speak up. I told her about one piece of jewelry. The big smile, the way her face lit up and "YOU DO?" will stay with me always. And the infamous smelly ice cream story. I apologized to Sandi every time I saw her. She always found ice cream postage stamps, cards, pins to remind me of the "incident". Honest, I didn't know she would cry or I would never have told her to smell the ice cream that it smelled funny and then bump her hand with the ice cream cone into her nose. Sandi, again, I apologize.
Sandi had a kind and caring soul. Her love of family resonates in Max and Jeremy. I will miss her. less
My Vanilla Mom! I love you! I miss you! I thank you for all the memories we shared and the time you spent to teach me some of life's lessons. It was an amazing experience of being one of your "BAD GIRLS" (Brandi, Allana, and Djuna)Thank you for... moreMy Vanilla Mom! I love you! I miss you! I thank you for all the memories we shared and the time you spent to teach me some of life's lessons. It was an amazing experience of being one of your "BAD GIRLS" (Brandi, Allana, and Djuna)Thank you for introducing me to the world of lactation and birth. Thank you for being a listening ear and an innovative thinker.. I hope to be like you one day and travel the world. May you rest in peace. less
Sandi, I am beyond lucky to have you in my life from the day I was born. There are no words for what you mean to me. I know you want us, who are grieving, to go on while carrying forward unending feelings of your love, warmth and our precious memories.... moreSandi, I am beyond lucky to have you in my life from the day I was born. There are no words for what you mean to me. I know you want us, who are grieving, to go on while carrying forward unending feelings of your love, warmth and our precious memories. I always benefit from your sisterly lessons and will strive to bolster the progressive values we share, from your loving brother. less
I am truly sad to hear of her passing. She was one of the first parents from Roosevelt Elementary, I met that was genuinely bhuman, friendly, interested and interesting. I had not seen her in many years but have thought of her often.
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