Sandra Ann (Martinez) Scharnhorst

Sandra Ann Scharnhorst passed away peacefully, on April 5, 2024 surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia.  She was 76 years old.

Sandy was born on October 29, 1947 in Los Angeles, California.  She was the second of six children born to Rosendo and Cora Martinez. She grew up in Compton, California. After graduating from Pius X High School in 1966, Sandy enrolled in Beauty School where she received her cosmetology license. She worked making women and some men beautiful in life and in some cases, death.  She had devoted clients for over 40 years. 

In the Summer of 1965 a young Navy sailor saw Sandy on the dance floor of the Cinnamon Cinder in Long Beach, California. This young man, Private Lynn Scharnhorst from Quincy, Ill, told Sandy the first night they met that he was going to marry her.  They were wed 3 years later on May 18, 1968 and were happily married for 53 years. 

In 1978 Sandy and Lynn welcomed their first child, Erik Anthony.  Seven years later, Melissa Michele would complete the Scharnhorst family. They raised their family in a loving household in Downey, California.

Sandy was a fun spirited soul.  Some of her favorite things to do were shopping, playing slots at the casino, and dancing. She spent many hours, much to the dismay of her loving husband on the dance floor at every wedding, baptism, Quinceanera, graduation, birthday, celebration etc. She loved to have fun and play games, but she did not like to lose.  You had to pick your battles when inviting her to play.

Sandy and Lynn enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. They were overjoyed when becoming grandparents for the first time 10 years ago. They were members of the Garden Grove Church of God devoting their time to worship and to serve our Lord.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband Lynn, her parents Rosendo and Cora Martinez, nephew Richard Martinez Jr. and grandmother Herberta Gutierrez.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sisters Yvonne (David) Ham, Lori Reyes, her brothers Anthony (Irma) Martinez, Sr.; Robert Martinez; Richard (Priscilla), Martinez, Sr. Two children, Erik and Melissa (Mario) Martinez. 4 Grandchildren, Amelia, Madeline (Maddie), Jade and Hendrix. As well as a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends and many, many godchildren.

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