Sandra Ann Kirkendoll

Sandra Ann Kirkendoll was a very optimistic and uninhibited individual. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Sandra, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Sandra really mastered the art of living and had great time doing so.

Sandra was born on October 31, 1961 at Southern Mississippi Charity Hospital in Laurel, Mississippi. Her parents were A. L. Brown and Annie Brown. Sandra was raised in Milwaukee, WI. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly.

A very reserved individual, Sandra allowed herself to make many friends, but at the same time remained very private. Sandra was easy going and fun loving. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Sandra managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Sandra was raised with two siblings. She had an older brother, Dale, and one older sister, Wanda.

All of Sandra's quiet nature carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with a calm and mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to carry herself with the grace and temperament of a queen. Sandra experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She enjoyed jumping rope and playing kickball. She was also a Girl Scout and in the choir. In her spare time she liked cheerleading for the Hillside Steelers and shopping for shoes.

Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Sandra always had a great personality. Sandra simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of her friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Sandra, grades may not have been the most important thing to her, but in all actuality they were. She really did enjoy her school experience. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” and theory to her work. Sandra graduated from South Division High School in 1980. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was history.

Sandra’s calm and warm demeanor enthralled her to many people and her ever pleasant smile disarmed even the most aggressive stranger. This quality allowed Sandra to continually develop new relationships, but only a limited number of people were allowed within her circle. Sandra’s thoughtfulness and generosity was very well documented among her acquaintances. Sandra utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Calissa, Shirley, Brenda, Janet, Velma, and Theresa. Later in life, she became friends with some wonder people with whom she worked within the MGM Corporation.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Sandra very easy to approach. On December 21, 1983 Sandra exchanged wedding vows with Richard Kirkendoll in Honolulu, Hawaii. She never imposed on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in their marriage.

Perhaps the reason Sandra related so well to children was the fact that she enjoyed the thrill and enthusiasm kids seem to have. Understanding the fondness and innocence of kids and her big heart helped her in raising her own children. Sandra was blessed with two children, two daughters, Jasmine and Natasha. Sandra had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Sandra's compassionate side enabled her to raise her children within a very loving and compassionate home. She could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play.

At work, as in life, Sandra was a real “people person.” very quiet but always engaging. Sandra was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Sandra's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Sandra as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was uniform attendant. She was employed for 17 years by MGM.

Sandra enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were reading and shopping for shoes. Sandra was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Sandra loved sports; her enjoyment came from watching the many teams from the state of Wisconsin that participated in the various sports and did well. She also enjoyed attending football games in Arizona and San Diego to watch the Green Bay Packers. The one team outside of Wisconsin that Sandra liked was the New York Yankees which happened to be the only bump in her otherwise great marriage. Fortunately, it was a speed bump they were willing to ride over together.

Living life in a deliberate slow pace suited Sandra just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. Her favorite vacations included cruises to the Caribbean and visiting California and Florida.

Sandra passed away on February 22, 2011 at Mountain View Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. She fought a brave battle against cancer. She is survived by her husband Richard; her daughters Jasmine and Natasha; her brother Dale (Rose) and her sister Wanda; and her nieces Tamika, Crystal, Tami and Toni. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary and Cemetery. Sandra was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Mortuary and Cemetery in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sandra brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. Sandra Ann Kirkendoll lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.