Sandra Adams Brockway

Sandra Adams Brockway, age 82; beloved wife of the late John A Brockway and mother of John M Brockway, Susan B Cole and Jennifer A Thomas, died peacefully surrounded by her three children on August 17th, 2023, after a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease.

Sandy was born on June 17th, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois to Corretta & Rupert Adams, who raised her in Downers Grove, IL along with her older sister Carol. She graduated Downers Grove Community High School in 1959 and then attended MacMurray College for Women in Jacksonville, IL. In 1963 she married John A Brockway also of Downers Grove, IL and relocated to San Francisco, CA to raise dogs before accidentally having three children. In 1980, they then relocated back to Downers Grove where they continued to raise their family. Shortly after John’s untimely death at the end of 2000, Sandy moved to Arizona where she bought a house and took care of her grandchildren, dogs and cats until she fell victim to dementia.

Sandy was known for many things....from her more than capable abilities in the kitchen conjuring up interesting yet delicious dishes to being a spectacular poker player, but especially for her affection towards her Chihuahuas' Sarafina & Lily. Sandy was also an avid hobbyist often finding inspiration at the local Goodwill or when browsing at neighborhood garage sales. If she wasn’t fixing up an old treasure like rewiring a lamp, then she would often be found creating new unique things. She loved sewing, crocheting or making beautiful items with wire and beads. She also adored photography and even made her own stationery out of her photos of birds and desert flowers. Most notably, Sandy was also an avid storyteller recounting numerous stories from her childhood...entertaining all she met throughout her life.

Sandy is survived by her son John (Stephanie), daughters Susan (Edward) & Jenny (Chad) and nine grandchildren: Lonzo (21), Brock (20), Greta (18), Max (16), Liam (15), Sam (15), Wren (13), Jack (11) & Klein (10).

A celebration of life for Sandra will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Mariposa Gardens San Tan Venue 6747 E Broadway Rd, Mesa, Arizona 85206. An inurnment will follow from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM and a catered reception from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to:

Alzheimer’s Disease Research – www.alzheimersdiseaseresearch.org or The Humane Society – www.humanesociety.org are sincerely appreciated.

Arrangements by Dignity Memorial – Mariposa Gardens. Information: 480-830-4422 or www.MariposaGardens.com