Sandra Josephine Stein

Oct 10, 1953 -

Feb 16, 2021

Sandra J. Stein, 67, died peacefully at her home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Feb. 16, 2021. Lovingly known as Sandi to most and Brandy to some, she was the daughter of the late Robert Stein and Helen Mahr. Sandra was born in Japan, spent her youth in Boston, Mass., and then ventured to California before settling in Anchorage.

She earned a Master of Psychology at Sonoma State University and her Ph.D. in interdisciplinary/multicultural studies at The Union Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sandra dedicated herself to serving the most vulnerable and underserved members of her community. In Sonoma County, she was Assistant Program Director for Athena House, a Counselor at DAAC, a Case Manager for Sonoma County People for Economic Opportunity and she lectured at Sonoma State University.

In Anchorage, Sandra gave back to her community with her service as a Care Coordinator at Hope Community Resources Inc., as the Rights of Passage Program Coordinator at Covenant House Alaska and as a Clinician for The Arc of Anchorage.

Sandra loved being a dog handler and caring for the sled dogs during the Iditarod Race. She was a writer, a legendary fire eating burlesque dancer, had love for the arts, fine food and meaningful conversations. Passionate for learning and with a gift for teaching, she paid it forward. She empowered her students, clients, family and friends to live life to the fullest and "invest in the things that make your hair fly back."

Sandra is survived by her aunt, Irene Mahr; cousin, Pam Carrier with husband Tom and their children Jaclyn and Jeanette; cousin, Jeffrey Mahr with wife Heidi and their children Kelsie and Katie all of Massachusetts; and cousin, Kimberly Mahr with children Jesse and Annelise of California.

Funeral services will be private. Expression of sympathy may be made in her memory to Friends of Pets, Anchorage.