Sandra (Sandy) Begen August 22, 1941 - March 31, 2010 Sandra (Sandy) Begen of Bakersfield, CA passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at home. Sandy was a truly beautiful woman whose kindness and spirit forever touched the lives of her family, friends, and those she helped. Sandy was born on August 22, 1941 to Roy and Mary Vinson in Santa Monica, CA. Her youth was filled with fairy tales, make-believe, singing, and being active in the church. She attended UC Berkeley, where she met her first husband, Robert (Bob) Begen. Sandy was a dedicated mother to Michelle, Geoffrey, and Jennifer and grandmother to Jessica, encouraging them all to realize their dreams. Sandy's passion was in serving others and, when not being a full-time Mom, she found fulfillment working at the Boy Scouts of America and the American Parkinson's Disease Association. After the passing of her first husband, she moved to Bakersfield to be with her mother and sister. In this new life, she met and married Robert Kapler. He filled her life with music and another opportunity for love. Sandy worked at the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired until diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 and there cared for the needs of clients and coworkers she was honored to call friends. Sandy is survived by her husband, Robert Kapler, her sister, Marylou Vinson, her children, Michelle, Geoff and Lyndi, and Jennifer Begen, her granddaughter, Jessie Begen, her niece, Kelly Karr, and her in-laws, Robert and Linda Peltz. Public viewing will be at 12pm with funeral services at 1pm on Monday, April 5, at the First United Methodist Church, 4600 Stockdale Highway, in Bakersfield, followed by interment at Greenlawn, 2739 Panama Lane, and a gathering back at the church thereafter. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (cbvi.org). Cherished Memories Memorial Chapel www.bakersfield.com/obits
Published in Bakersfield Californian on April 4, 2010