Zandra Renae Conway was born to the late A.T. and Walterine “Wally” Conway April 21, 1957 in San Antonio, TX. Her parents served in the military and were married in 1956. Zandra was the oldest of eight children. Two of her siblings preceded her in death, Tanya Conway and Mark Conway. Mourning the loss of their oldest sister, her siblings in order of birth: Crystal Graves, Patrick Conway, Gerald Conway, Arnold Conway, and Jeff Conway. Her family/friends of the family affectionately called her “Poopie” and family was always her first and dearest priority. Especially as the oldest of Seven!

Zandra’s proudest accomplishment was her one and only daughter and on Feb 12, 1988 she had Kendra Renae Collins. Kendra remembers her mother telling her as a child where she had gotten her name from. Zandra saw a street named “Kendra … ” while driving around San Jose during her college years and she always said she would name her daughter this. If you knew Zandra, you knew she had a beautiful baby girl. Watching Kendra grow into womanhood and becoming a mother herself, Zandra became a grandmother, affectionately calling herself “Abbi”. She was so in love with her new grandchild, Amira Renae Id-Deen.

Zandra would describe herself as an “Air Force brat” because her parents moved multiple times throughout her childhood. She was raised on Air Force bases from TX, SC, Germany, FL, NJ, Hawaii, and Travis A.F.B before her parents settle into Fairfield, CA. Zandra graduated from Vanden High School in Travis A.F.B in 1975. She earned her Bachelor of Science in History from San Jose State University 1979. In 1993, Zandra completed a BS degree in Management Information Systems from the University of California in San Francisco. Zandra launched her career in Information Technology in 1980 and served over 25 years with Hewlett Packard as a Technology Specialist and served as a trainer in the marketing and human resources department.

While living in Atlanta, Zandra and her daughter became members of Hillside International Truth Center, under the late Honorable Bishop Dr. Barbara King. Zandra was a spiritual person who believed in the power of One Truth, One Love, One Life. Some would call this interfaith, the New Thought Movement. Once she moved back to the Bay Area in 2010, she quickly found the “sister” spiritual center to call home, Heart and Soul Center of Light. She and her daughter became members under the dynamic leadership of Reverend Andriette Earl.

She was a heavy advocate for justice in communities of color and activism for the LGBTQ+ people. Zandra was a part of many organizations: Human Rights Campaign, Georgia Equality, Center for Black Equity, National Black Justice League, Small Business Growth Alliance, board of directors for Atlanta Pride, ZUNA Institute, Organizing for America. Zandra served as the Political Liaison to the LGBT Community for Ceasar Mitchell for Atlanta City Council President. Zandra created the Conway Connection Group a consulting firm concerning reputation and profitability focusing on People, History, Current Events, Politics, Women, Education, Spirituality, Entertainment, Sports, Law & Order, Health Care, LGBTQ issues, Non-Profit Organizations – and her ability to connect all parties appropriately.

Zandra loved football and was known for hosting great Superbowl parties. She loved to party! There are 1000s of hours we all "partied!" Zandra comes from a family of bowlers. She often bowled in leagues and recreationally with siblings and family members. When she was 15, she was in a youth bowling league. One Saturday afternoon, she bowled a 636 series. It took decades before her Dad was ever able to pass that bowling score. Zandra ran track in high school. Zandra was "fast!" Zandra learned to swim early. While living in Hawaii, her Mom took all her children to take swimming lessons. Zandra took to swimming like a fish! Zandra played the clarinet in junior high and high school. She was in the high school marching band. Zandra was on the softball and basketball teams.

Zandra accomplished many things in her life from earning her degrees, becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta Public-Service Sorority in 1977. She began her strong social justice activism at SJSU. She loved DST Eta Omega chapter till the end. Zandra boldly moved across the country to GA away to from her family in CA, creating a vibrant community, advocating and advancing the rights for every human, building her dream home from the ground up.

Zandra passed away peacefully in the night. A sudden rain opened the skies on March 6, 2021 and welcomed her. The evening before her passing, she was surrounded by her family, their love and well wishes for a peaceful transition.

It is no coincidence Zandra passed during International Women’s Month. She was a phenomenal woman, dedicated to sisterhood and cultivating relationships with other women. Zandra lived boldly, inspired immensely, and motivated the masses with her gift of gab and unforgettably warm smile.

Zandra leaves behind her daughter, granddaughter, sister, brothers, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, sorority sisters, Greek family, life-long friends, extended families from military, Fairfield, San Jose, California, Georgia. She leaves behind lovers. She will always be in the hearts of those who loved her. Until we meet again.