Sandra Marie (Collop) Imrie

Sandra Marie Collop Imrie

January 31, 1952 - July 18, 2024

NAPA - Sandra Marie Collop Imrie passed away peacefully at the Queen of the Valley hospital on July 18, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.

Sandy was born in Seattle, Washington on January 31, 1952 to Jack and Maxine Collop. She embraced taking on the role of being the oldest sibling of two younger sisters, Terry and Shari.

She attended Leigh High School in San Jose, graduating in 1970, then packed her bags for college in beautiful Santa Barbara. She happily became a member of the Chi Omega sorority. It didn't take long for Sandy to become a sweetheart of Sigma Chi, John's fraternity. He "pinned" her in 1974, which confirmed she was off the market and soon to be engaged. Sandy graduated from UCSB that same year, obtaining her degree in Bachelors of Science, while also working as a legal assistant.

Despite wanting to pursue dance, teaching became her priority and passion. Shortly after college she worked for Irvine Savings and Loan, as an executive assistant to the president. She received her teaching credential from University of San Francisco in 1975. Arguably more important, she received an engagement ring from John who proposed to Sandy at Scoma's restaurant in Sausalito. They married August 9, 1975. The loving couple then moved back down south and lived in Santa Monica, Costa Mesa, and Laguna Beach, following John's territory, working in the insurance business.

They eventually moved north towards John's hometown of Napa to Yountville in 1979. Their first child, Brett, was born in 1978. Jillian was born in 1980 and Jaclyn (aka Precious) was born in 1982.

Sandy took on the hardest job there is and stayed home to raise three kids until Jaclyn went on to middle school. Meanwhile, John became a fourth generation family member to join A.H. Smith Company, as an insurance broker. Sandy held the upmost respect for John joining the family business. After countless years of volunteering in all three children's classrooms she taught at other schools in the Napa Valley, but soon found her second home as an Eagle at West Park Elementary School.

Sandy had numerous passions which included playing competitive tennis, hosting parties at her house, and finding the perfect "must have" outfit of the season. She loved to dance, sing, read, cook, travel, water and snow ski, and hike level terrain. She vetoed hiking most of John's favorites due to the increase in elevation. More than anything, she loved her family, which included her friends and children's friends.

She was beautiful inside and out, generous, full of joy and grace, and was always taking care of others. Her kindness and selflessness were unmatched.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She also volunteered for numerous other organizations, primarily for the Queen of the Valley Hospital and other cancer related non-profits.

Sandy is survived by her loving husband, John, her children: Brett, Jillian, Jaclyn (Laura), her sisters, her grandchild, many cousins, nieces and nephews. She loved her family more than anything and it didn't take long for her grandchild, Paxton, to become a front runner in her heart. To Paxton, Sandy will always be "Baba."

Celebration of life will be held on Thursday, August 1st, at 11:00 A.M., Tulocay Funeral Home Chapel, followed by a reception in Tulocay Reception Center.

In Sandy's memory, in lieu of flowers, please donate to Queen of the Valley Foundation, Saint Jude's Children Hospital, or a charity of your choice.

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