Jane Sandsmark - 1962-2007

Jane Sandsmark died quietly at home on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at the age of 45. She had lived with an oligodendroglioma/astrocytoma brain tumor, multiple recurrences, and many complicated treatments for over nine years.

Jane did not let her illness or its treatment -- or anything else, for that matter -- keep her from doing what she wanted to do. Since her diagnosis, she traveled extensively in the U.S., Europe (especially France), and the Americas, and explored her creativity through sculpture, drawing, digital art, fiber art, countless crafts, cooking, and dance. She also enjoyed sailing and took every opportunity to get on the water.

Jane could converse knowledgeably on subjects ranging from France to flower arranging, food to physics. In the early 1980s she volunteered as an Explainer at San Francisco's Exploratorium, and remained an enthusiastic, voluble explainer of many subjects for the rest of her life. She was a firm believer in the importance of science and math education for women. She also was a fierce environmentalist, having worked or volunteered with Exploring New Horizons, Hidden Villa, East Bay Regional Parks, and the National Park Service.

She earned degrees in computer science from Cal State Hayward and electrical engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Working for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, she installed the first email system in a national park in the late 1980s. She was the first computer specialist in the Presidio of San Francisco under the National Park Service, and finished her professional career in 2001 with Hewlett Packard.

Jane is survived by her husband Fred Sandsmark; mother Ann Koppel; father Tom Koppel; sisters Cheryl Brazell (niece Sarah) and Diane Vroenen (brother-in-law Gary); many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews; and scores of admiring and supportive friends and colleagues.

The family thanks Dr. Michael Prados and the many kind people at the UCSF brain tumor center for their tireless, creative care over the course of her illness. We also gratefully acknowledge Sharon Lamb, Mary Lovely, and the San Francisco Brain Tumor Support Group.

Jane asked that gifts in her memory be made to the National Brain Tumor Foundation (www.braintumor.org) or the Exploratorium (www.exploratorium.edu). Links are at right. A memorial service will be held at Fort Mason in San Francisco on Sunday, September 9, 2007. Details are below.

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