Sandra "Sandi" Genevieve Young

October 19, 1946- July 22,2019
The world lost a shining presence and vibrant soul on July 22,2019, when Sandi lost her courageous and unyielding fight. She was brave and fought it "her way" till the very end. She was a force never to be reckoned with and one that you could never stop admiring or loving.
Sandi loved spending time with family and friends. Making sure that all of us never went hungry or lost. She had a special knack for finding anything or anyone that needed a little extra love and adopting them into the family. This included any animal big or small that would wonder into her life. She always made sure everyone got what he or she needed, when they needed it and loved doing it. Sandi always had a way of making sure she left everything a little better than the way she found it. To the world, most knew her as the"cake or cookie lady", but others knew her as the fiery and stubborn spirit that faced adversity and life with a persistent and determined attitude. At only Five-foot-three, she stood taller than most in the room and had a presence that could rarely be matched.

She delighted in celebrating and spending time by having amazing parties and tons of food. She had a wonderful way of inviting and sharing all that she had to offer while gathered around the kitchen table. She loved having anyone over for dinner, and would always make sure there was an extra plate for whomever wondered in with the family. She had the innate ability for taking a few random ingredients and making a full meal to feed whomever happened to be over. However, the true treat was her cakes and cookies; which everyone always sought after.
Sandi loved the holidays, especially Christmas. Anyone who came to her house knew it often looked like a Hallmark card or movie. She loved to decorate and have the house full of family to celebrate. Her most treasured time of the season was Christmas morning with her children and grandchildren as they gathered to celebrate with her infamous cinnamon rolls and abundance of heart-felt gifts. It was never quiet and there were plenty sounds of laughter and joy when you came. She always invited everyone, and she always told her kids that no one spends the holidays alone.
Besides celebrating and cooking, Sandi loved her garden. She had an incredible green thumb and could make anything grow she would put into the ground. It was even rumored that she could plant any stick in the ground and it would turn into a thriving plant. Her garden has always been the envy of the neighborhood and was her pride and joy. She loved flowers of all types, and almost always had fresh flowers in many rooms in her home. Sandi found her garden to be a place to play, relax and a place to create memories. Every plant had a story in it to share, and almost always connected to family.There is always a memory to be shared or created when walking through her gardens.

Sandi had a profound spirit and determination to match. There was never an adversity that she didn't meet head-on and defeat. She was born to Geneveive and Roland Archibald, and grew up in Whittier, CA. She spent most of her years as a cook, dietitian, caterer, party planner and florist. Sandi was always able to turn these passions into companies and professions that she was very proud of. She was a single parent and then created a complete blended family, when she married Blair Young September 21, 1978. They raised their four children in Laguna Hills, and adopted many others along the way, throughout their 40 years of marriage. They taught them all that life is a journey filled with many battles, and those battles are what make you an incredible person. She taught all of us, that family is the most important legacy to leave behind and it is what should be cherished.

Sandi is survived by her husband, Blair and her three children Matthew, Lauri and Lianne. She also has 10 grandchildren and many other family and friends that she has left behind to cherish the amazing person she was.