Sandra Sue (Rosker) Kelley

On June 28th, 1946, in Akron, Ohio, Captain Samuel Rosker and his wife Elizabeth welcomed their firstborn, Sandra (Sandy) Sue into the world, followed a year later by her brother, Robert. As an Army family, the family moved around a bit. They eventually landed in California when Sandy was six, first living in North Hollywood, and a short while later in Burbank.

Sandy attended Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, David Starr Jordan Junior High and John Burroughs High School. She always enjoyed meeting new people and had many friends, including lifelong friends from school, Sharon, Wendy, Patsy, and Linda. She enjoyed singing and performing for her friends, and participated in musicals, such as Bye, Bye Birdie, while in high school. She graduated in 1964.

After high school Sandy worked at Capitol Records, Univac, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), before becoming a court clerk with the LA Municipal Court, where she worked for 18 years. It was while she was working at Univac that she met Richard Kelley who she would eventually marry. Upon retirement from the courts in 1994, she and Richard became co-owners of the Cat Hotel on Magnolia Blvd. Their luxury cat hotel was written up in several pet magazines. They won Cat Fancy’s “Best in the Country” award, the Best of LA award (twice), the LA Best of the Best award, and caught the attention of Jay Leno, who not only boarded his cat there, but also interviewed Sandy for The Tonight Show. In 2007, they decided it was time to retire and sold the Cat Hotel.

Sandy was a kind and generous person, and believed in giving back to the community. She was involved with the Red Cross Disaster Relief Team and won several awards for her work with them. She worked with the Salvation Army, helping with their Angel Tree project at Christmas. She also was a member of the Van Bloem Singers, who often performed for the residents in retirement homes and rehabilitation centers.

Sandy enjoyed working in her garden, and decorating her yard and home for every holiday. Her home became the gathering place for holidays and family events. She was always available to lend an ear, provide support, advice and lots of hugs should anyone need them. Our lives have been greatly enriched for knowing her. She will be forever in our hearts, forever missed…until we meet again!

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and stepdaughter Cindy Padilla. She is survived by her husband Richard, stepdaughter Sandra (Brian) Wilcher, stepsons Christopher (Lauren) Kelley and Kevin (Mary) Kelley, Rick Padilla, nephew Rocky Japhet, nine step-grandchildren, six step- great grandchildren, and her “puppy” Jonah.