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Sandi Lynn Marts
April 5th, 1952 - April 18th, 2021
April 5th, 1952 - April 18th, 2021
In Jesus We Have a Future and Hope
Sandi passed away at her home in Beaverton on April 18th, 2021 after heroically fighting pancreatic cancer for over a year. She had just celebrated her 69th birthday and was surrounded by her loved ones in the days preceding her final journey into the arms of Jesus.
Sandra Lynn Nay was born April 5th, 1952 in Fullerton California. Her parents Dorothy (nee Brackett) and Floyd Nay were originally from Oklahoma and Kansas, respectively. On December 18th 1971, Sandi Married the love of her life Douglas Lowell Marts. They would go on to enjoy over 49 years of making memories together. Not long after Doug finished his degree at Azusa, the young couple relocated to Oregon in 1972, buying their current home in Beaverton a few years later. To their great joy, Sandi and Doug became the delighted parents of their only child Eric Daniel after several years. Eric would go on to bring eight grandchildren into the world for Sandi and Doug, with his wife Hannah. Lovingly christening their grandparents as Eema and Eepa, Eric and Hannah's kids enjoyed a close and loving relationship with Sandi and Doug, often visiting multiple times a week and for holidays. Sandi also had the rare and blessed opportunity of sharing a city street with her mother Dorothy and sisters Linda and Carol in her last decades of life. She also maintained close connection with her brother Jimmy and his wife Carole in Southern California. While their son Eric was young, Sandi was able to be a stay-at-home mother and loving homemaker for over ten years. After Eric entered the 3rd grade, Sandi rejoined the work force, building her carreer of over twenty years as a secretary for cardiac surgery at Providence Saint Vincent Hospital in Portland. The relationships that grew with fellow workers at the hospital over those two decades brought her great joy and blessing. On her retirement, her friends from the cardiac department gifted Sandi with one last furry child, a quirky and delightful King Charles spaniel she named Cooper.
Sandi was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Dorothy, a stillborn brother, her babies lost to miscarriage (very dear to her heart), and her grandaughter Amaryin. She is survived by her brother Jimmy and his wife Carole, her sister Linda, her sister Carol and her husband Dave, her neice Corri, neice Kaity and her husband Daniel, her neice Nikki and her husband Brad, her nephews DJ and Michael, her son Eric and his wife Hannah, her grandchildren Alwyn, Theodric, Rouhnya, Iona, Brighid, Callum, and Carlyn, and her beloved husband Doug.
An outdoor memorial service for friends and family will be held on May 8th in Hillsboro, Oregon. A private gravesite interment will be held for imidiate family at a yet-to-be-determined date. Sandi's final resting place will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. Section T, Block 6, 509X grave 1.
Psalm 39:7 NKJV "And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You." This verse is from a chapter in the Bible that Sandi drew strength from in her last days. We look forward to seeing her again, as we celebrate redemption in heaven with Jesus. Together again at last.
In lue of flowers, the family has put together a GoFundMe to assist Doug with final expenses. https://gofund.me/00e77a3c
Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Sandi’s life with a heartfelt message.
Marcia Lorenz
My family moved across the street from the Nay family when Sandi and I were about two years old. She was my playmate from the very start. We started a club, we were the only members, called the Red Robin Club. Sandi could still recite the pledge this year probably, she wrote the pledge, so I'm not surprised. We had dues that I believe we buried in our side yard--I don't know for what purpose that was, but once in awhile we would walk to town to buy gum and candy with it. We also went through a neighbor's trash once, because the lady of the house had a box of various empty makeup containers she'd thrown out. Oh, those were fun to play with when you are six. We were in the same schools, most of the same classrooms growing up. We didn't hang out so much at school, but she was there when I needed her, and I like to think I was there for her. At church, we competed for memorization "trophies" and we were the best. She was a great speller. Sandi was a very popular girl at school. I was not. But, we still remained friends and confidants. When we started high school, we no longer walked to school, but drove or took a bus 7 miles away to the school. I rode to school with Sandi and her sister, Linda, with their dad, Floyd, the first two years, and then with Sandi herself the last two years after Linda graduated.. I remember one time we were visiting a church in Garden Grove, CA, junior year. It started to rain on the way home, and Garden Grove had the worst dips at the intersections, and every time we went through one, checking the brakes afterward as her father taught her, she'd call out "Praise You Jesus!". We made it home safely and I was so proud of her. One time we drove to the library, which we usually walked to, and did school work. On the way home, we couldn't get to our street, because the president-elect was coming by to speak at his birthplace, just a few blocks from our homes. They finally let us through, and being cool, we weren't going to see what was happening at Yorba Linda Blvd, but eventually we did. As Pres-elect and Mrs. Nixon came by, Sandi turned to me and said, "she smiled at me". Of course, Pat Nixon would smile at Sandi. Much to my husband's chagrin, Sandi introduced me to Johnny Mathis. Sandi was always trying to get me to wear contact lenses instead of my glasses. One morning, Sandi said she was going to guide me through the school, if I took off my glasses. She would tell me when and where to smile, if a boy was looking at me. Junior year was probably the time when Sandi stopped being on the popular train, and became more consistent and observant to Jesus in her life. When I came home from school in December of 1969, my mom told me that Floyd, Sandi's dad, had passed away. I immediately went across the street. Sandi came to the door, and just held out her arms to me, and she comforted me. The following year at the end of our senior year, Sandi kept mentioning a boy she had met the previous year at a party that sang and played the guitar. She was asked about the same time, to be in a school dating game for an end-of-the year assembly. In fact, the person that asked her said, "I have a quick question for you", and asked about the game. Sandi's reply: "Quick answer for you, no". It wasn't just because of the guitar playing boy she'd met, but also that sort of popularity contest just wasn't her thing anymore. I never got over watching Sandi always keeping her eyes on Doug when he sang and played on his guitar. Through the first years of their marriage, I'd watch the 2nd bedroom in Doug and Sandi's house be a nursery for such a long time, a play room and then a sound stage. Now, it holds six bunk beds, and I think what a blessing Sandi's grandchildren must have been for her, and of course, Eric and Hannah, too. I also remember one time Sandi asking me if she would have to change all the diapers of the babies she had lost when she got to heaven. We decided they'd probably be older, but it was still funny. I told her one time I had so many cross stitch projects, I'd never get them done before the Rapture. She said, "who knows, you may get bored in heaven and need something to do there, too!". A couple of months ago, Sandi was telling me how much she loved Mercy Me's song "I Can Only Imagine", which is about our arrival in heaven, and is a favorite, I'm sure, of a lot of people: Surrounded by your glory What will my heart feel Will I dance for you Jesus Or in awe of You be still Will I stand in your presence Or to my knees will I fall Will I sing hallelujah Will I be able to speak at all I can only imagine I don't know about you, but if I had a vote, I'd say Sandi danced and sang hallelujah when she got there. Love you San, see you soon!
Toosti Nichols
My beautiful Sandi, you will always hold an incredibly special place in my heart. I can see you laughing with Kevin and dancing with abandon! Thank you for your love and prayers throughout the years, you were an amazing godmother to the girls. To Doug, Eric and family we love you and are praying for you during this time.
Chitra Prentice
I knew Sandi for little over 17 yrs of my time at St Vincent cardiac surgery where I worked as RN. Sandi was always very pleasant, kind and compassionate and calm person. I don’t remember her ever being upset or ill tempered. She was well loved by all the staff. She was a true reflection of love of Christ.
Reggie Daniels
I was saddened when I heard about Sandi’s passing. She was the “mother hen” of the Cath Lab and CVOR department. She was there to listen to whatever concerns you had and provide useful advice. I remember Doug making coffee for the departments after dropping her off at work. She would talk about her future vacation with her family and what improvements that they were making on their house. She was a great person in mind and spirit. She was greatly missed when she retired and more so since her passing. Much love to Mrs. Sandi Marts!!
Wendy Wallace
My Best Friend, Sandi Nay "Little Egypt came out struttin', Wearing nuttin but a button and a bow, wo wo, Singing, "Ying Yang, Ying Yang, Ying Yang, Ying Yang" She had a ruby on her tummy and A diamond big as Texas on her toe, wo wo. She let her hair down and She did the hoochie koochie real slow, wo wo...: Sandi sang this song for me shortly after we met. I was shocked and enchanted. We were eleven years old and in the sixth grade. I had never, ever heard a song like that! But Sandi knew lots of songs. She had an older brother and sister. I have always said that the sun appeared in my world when Sandi and I became friends. Before I met her, I was pretty lonely and sad. We had moved so often, after third grade and again after fourth grade, that I didn’t have any close friends. Plus, my home life was not good. My father was so volatile and unpredictable that I wouldn’t bring any friends to my house. Later that year, my parents would separate, and eventually divorce, to my great relief. Sandi was bright, bubbly and fun! She knew everyone and I was thrilled that she chose me to be her best friend! I lived in a new tract house and Sandi lived across town in an older home. They had a septic tank in the backyard and her grandmother lived down the street. Her mother would tape Dear Abby columns on Sandi’s mirror as warnings and her sister, Linda, had a prized rocking chair in her room. Sandi always said that her home embarrassed her but I thought that it was fine. I was fascinated that in order to get to her little sister’s room, you crawled through a hole in the wall of Sandi’s room. I loved staying overnight and being there for breakfast in the morning. The whole family would gather in the big, sunny room off the kitchen and her mother would make eggs. My family never did this. Sandi could sing beautifully and in junior high we were in chorus together. I couldn’t sing at all and have since been told that I am “tone deaf” but they let me be in chorus anyhow. We made our own dresses. They were royal blue cotton, straight sheath dresses with a deep V-neck. We bought white blouses with full flouncy sleeves and a big “V” ruffle around the neck that we wore under them. I remember one of the songs we sang. It was “I Enjoy Being a Girl” from the musical, “The Flower Drum Song”: I'm a girl, and by me that's only great! I am proud that my silhouette is curvy, That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait With my hips kind of swivelly and swervy. I adore being dressed in something frilly When my date comes to get me at my place. Out I go with my Joe or John or Billy, Like a filly who is ready for the race! When I have a brand new hairdo With my eyelashes all in curl, I float as the clouds on air do, I enjoy being a girl! When men say I'm cute and funny And my teeth aren't teeth, but pearl, I just lap it up like honey I enjoy being a girl! I flip when a fellow sends me flowers, I drool over dresses made of lace, I talk on the telephone for hours With a pound and a half of cream upon my face! I'm strictly a female female And my future I hope will be In the home of a brave and free male Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl... like... me. When men say I'm sweet as candy As around in a dance we whirl, It goes to my head like brandy, I enjoy being a girl! When someone with eyes that smoulder Says he loves ev'ry silken curl That falls on my iv'ry shoulder, I enjoy being a girl! I'm a girl, and by me that's only great! I am proud that my silhouette is curvy, That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait..." It was a different time and I don’t imagine choruses are singing that song now. But it suited us then, and I think in a way, that’s what we aspired to. Sandi and I were very good girls. We didn’t drink or smoke like some of our peers did. And we prided ourselves on being nice to everyone. We were very popular in high school but we were still friends with everyone. We were never, ever stuck up or snobby. Sandi and I went to the Rose Drive Friends Church. I think our main objective was to meet boys there. We also went to Quaker Meadow camp together. When we were in high school we got serious about sharing clothes and planning our wardrobes was a very important thing. We also got serious about boys and we each had upper grade boyfriends. In our sophomore year, we decided that we were going to try out together to be Song Leaders. We got a Troy High graduate who had been a song leader to teach us a routine and we went over to her house weekly for lessons. Our routine was to a song by Herb Albert and The Tijuana Brass. I still remember a little bit of it. However, right before try-outs, my mother announced that we were moving to Newport Beach. I couldn’t try out and Sandi decided not to, either. That year, she was the Sophomore Homecoming Princess, a great honor. Sandi was always the “pretty” one and I was the “cute” one. I was always sturdier than her and she got sick more often. That’s the way it was in junior high and high school and it continued that way as we got older. Sandi loved Winnie the Pooh and she gave me the nickname of “Pooh”. She dubbed herself “Tigger” and gave the rest of our friends the names of Pooh’s other friends: Eyeore, Kanga, Roo, and Piglet. For my fifteenth birthday, Sandi and my boyfriend, Eric, gave me a huge stuffed Winnie the Pooh that they bought at Disneyland. I treasured that bear for the next twenty years! We had lots of adventures and good times together. I was very unhappy when she moved to Oregon and I only saw her a few times after that. Once, we went to New York City together. We raced all over the city and climbed to the top of the Statue of Liberty. For the past few years, we’ve been texting and emailing a lot, almost daily. She has been my confident, my consoler, and my advisor. Most of all, she’s been, as she’s always been, my best friend. I can’t imagine my life without her in it. There’s a big hole left where she belongs. Wendy Carpenter Naylor Wallace May 2021
Laurie And Rob King
Dearest Sandi, how you are missed. We connected over our mutual fibromyalgia disease and I looked up to you as you showed strength thru out your days. We sent each other little messages through Facebook and you brightened many a day with them. Heaven's gardens just got the best gardener around! Love to Doug who's love of Jesus has touched hundreds of lives. May your heart find comfort and peace Doug. Love to you and your family.
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