Sandra Banks

Sandra Baker -Banks was born on December 20th, 1956, to parents Rosemary Troia-Baker and Mitchell Baker in Plattsburg, New York. She was raised in Madison, Wisconsin with her brothers Butch, Joey, Robert and her sister Judy along with nieces Santina and Michelle and nephews Tony, Mitchell and Nico and Uncle Mel Troia. She also had lifelong friends Miranda Jordan, Jill Barlow, Teal Cannon, Deanna Taylor, Paula Reynolds and Gloria Kirchoff.

Sandy graduated from Malcolm Shabazz High School and attended Madison Area Technical College where she obtained a degree in Barbering. Upon graduation, Sandy embarked on a career in the field which saw her become an award-winning Barber and Stylist at The Barbers and Hair Forum, throughout the Midwest, and in national competitions. It was during this time that she met her future husband James Banks in a Karate class and began a forty-two-year relationship which brought their daughter, Jasmine, into the world.

The family moved to Moreno Valley, California in 1989 where they raised their daughter and became involved in the community. Sandy became a parent advocate for the students at the local schools and always made sure that the students were educated and more importantly safe from any type of harm. It was also at this time that she opened her own Barber Shop called, “Today’s Hair” in Banning, California. Sandy maintained her business for several years and then became a travelling barber until her retirement. Sandy always believed in professional excellence and consistently provided a welcoming and sincere experience for all of her clients.

Sandy was an excellent cook and took great pride in making culinary dishes. Though she mostly ate a vegetarian and pescatarian diet, she was adept in preparing meat dishes. All her Italian dinners and desserts were immaculate. She was always extremely proud of her cupcakes and oatmeal raisin cookies. She happily made meals for school events, meetings and family gatherings. She had all of the utensils necessary for outings and she would bring them along just in case of an emergency. Sandy expressed her love for others through her cooking and everyone craved her dishes.

Sandy was a person who always cared about families and children. All of the children in our neighborhood knew Sandy and she knew them all by name. She would actively engage with them in arts and crafts, sports and fixing their bikes and cars. Sandy began to watch the children in the home and became a foster grandparent to Zoe, Luke and Jude. Sandy was an expert at using tools and she had a tool for every purpose from the kitchen to the garage. She was affectionately known as “Gadget Girl”. Sandy also was specifically involved in designing the cover for Jasmine’s first book of poetry.

Sandy was an excellent wife, mother and friend. She sheltered birds, turtles and dogs before it was popular. She loved to communicate and never shied away from a good conversation. She leaves behind a legacy of friendship and love to all those who she encountered. She will be missed but never forgotten.   Please share a memory or condolence with Sandra's family.