Sandra I Hardaway

Born Sandra Iris Baranzelli

Survived by:

James M Hardaway and his wife Melynda

Christopher Neal Hardaway (Winn) Son

Grandsons (Jim)Colton, Brandon, Ryan, Justin (Chris) Jace

Great Granddaughter Anastasia Neilsen

Born January 21st of the year 1937 in Illinois’ she moved to CA when her father and mother moved to CA to Clovis California.

Most people do not know this, but she was from a wealthy family who still owns the Golden Clover Honey company. Her grandfather was a stone mason who did most of the stone carvings at the famous Waldorf Astoria and had a successful hot dog cart business in New York. She used to tell us she was a debutante at one point, and she loved fine foods like lobster. She passed on her palate to Jim and Chris. Jim remembers a time when she pushed his pallet when she would cook cows’ tongue. He tried it but was not a fan. His favorite was her lasagna. Being 3rd generation Italian American pasta was a main stay in their earlier years.

A survivor of the great depression, she was no stranger to tough times and there were times like in the 70s when she had to use meat extender (soy meal) to add to the hamburger helper. Sandra and Robert did their best to participate in all things like scouting, sports, music and other interests of their children.

Sandra had dreams of becoming a nurse and went to school for nursing in LA. There she met Robert Neal Hardaway (passed Feb of 2020) and they soon married and brought two sons into the world. She gave up nursing school to be a stay-at-home mom. Over the years she worked in the medical field for doctors’ offices to stay close to her passion. She loved cake decorating and made beautiful cakes. She also loved decorating the house and especially for Christmas.

Sandra was a kind woman with a beautiful smile that could light up a room. In her last year Jim and Mel would walk in to visit her often and her face would light up and she would give them that smile and it would warm their hearts.

She made many friends over the years and tried to keep in touch with them but at some point, she could no longer use a phone. I know she regretted not being able to post on Facebook or shop on amazon which was her favorite past time in her last years.

She loved her grandchildren and was trying to hold out to see her latest grandson who is due in March but regretfully she did not make it.

In her last days Melynda would visit her nearly daily and she would spend hours with Sandra just talking to her. Jim lives and works in LA during the week and Melynda made up for that by visiting frequently.

In the end she fought hard to stay with us but truly she wanted to be with her husband. She passed Jan 31st at 11:40PM but the official time of death recorded was Feb 1st. Jim and Mel were there with her for hours leading up to her passing.

She will be greatly missed and loved for eternity.