Niche Dedication

Dear friends,

I have purchased a niche for Jane's ashes in the beautiful Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.

On January 26, 2008 -- the Saturday after Jane's 46th birthday -- all are invited to gather with me there at 2:00 p.m. to dedicate the niche. There won't be a formal ceremony; I'm thinking we'll sip some Port (I'm buying), burn some incense, tell some stories, and eventually walk down Piedmont Avenue to Fenton's for ice cream, weather permitting. Yes, every Sandsmark gathering involves a long walk.

Here's a map to Mountain View Cemetery: Map

Here's a map of Mountain View; the urn garden at the far end of the mausoleum is clearly marked: Map

No need to RSVP. Come if you can; if you can't be there in person, think about Jane sometime that afternoon.

--Fred

P.S. If anybody has a handheld GPS unit, could I borrow it that day?

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.

Please click the "Comments" link below if you would like to share a memory of Jane.

Memorial Activities

UPDATED Thursday, September 6, 2007:

We'll hold memorial activities in San Francisco for Jane on Sunday, September 9, 2007. There will be three events; you're invited to participate in any or all of them:

1) A hike, for those who are interested and able, will start at the flagpole at Upper Fort Mason beginning at 10:00 a.m. We'll walk along the bayshore toward the Golden Gate Bridge for about 45 minutes, then turn and retrace our path for a total of about four miles. The path is paved and mostly flat, but it can be windy and tiring. The route will take us past dozens of places that held meaning for Jane, including the Building 201, the Hosteling International (formerly AYH) Hostel, the community garden, Greens Restaurant, Alcatraz, the Marina, the Exploratorium, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Crissy Field. You'll also see the Presidio, Fort Point, and the bridge itself. There'll be plenty of time to talk and remember while we admire these beautiful places. Wear good walking shoes and carry a light jacket (at least), because it can get windy and chilly. (Please check for a weather report that morning.) A snack will be waiting at the hike's conclusion.

2) A service in the Fort Mason Chapel will begin at noon. The centerpiece of this event will be a chance for everyone to share memories of Jane. Also, if you have a poem, reading, or song to share, you're welcome to do so -- just let us know. (We'll have a keyboard and microphone.) If you cannot attend, please consider sending a message to be read aloud. Email it to Fred or post it below in the comments, labeled as "Please read at Jane's memorial." Dress is casual, since many of us will have just finished a long walk. The Chapel is not ADA compliant, and there are a few stairs leading into it, so please plan accordingly.

3) A pot-luck gathering will follow the service at 1 Fort Mason, the Officers' Club near the Chapel. Kathy Catanho will be coordinating the potluck; if you'd like to help provide food, please email her by mid-day Saturday at kcatanho@pacbell.net, including the words "Jane's memorial" in the subject line. Please do not bring alcohol. There will be a guestbook to sign, a continuously running slide show to watch, music from Jane's iPod playing, a lawn for kids to play on, and views that will take your breath away.

PLEASE CARPOOL if possible.

DIRECTIONS: Fort Mason is at the foot of Franklin Street in San Francisco. It is not in the Presidio and not in Golden Gate Park. The Chapel and Officers Club are not at Fort Mason Center, which is where the piers are by the Marina Safeway (though you can park there). Please check the links at right for maps and online directions.

PARKING: Your best bet is the lot by Building 102. Please download and bring the Map of Fort Mason linked at right. Additional parking (for a fee) is in Fort Mason Center, but note that you'll have a ten-minute uphill walk to the chapel from there. Disabled parking spots can be found scattered throughout Fort Mason.

If you would like to add content

All of Jane's friends and colleages are encouraged to add comments to this site.

If you notice comments that are inappropriate, please let me know. Also, if you have a Google account (that is, a gmail address) and would like to add photos, please let me know.

--Fred Sandsmark