Sandra Fern Briones

Sandra Fern Briones, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, teacher and friend to many, passed away on June 26, 2001 as the result of an RV accident while traveling in Missouri. Sandi was born September 2, 1945 to Eldon and Mary Dee Hale in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1967, Sandi traveled to Santiago, Chile where she was called to serve as a missionary. It was there that she met her husband Pedro. They married in Ishpeming, Missouri on February 27, 1971. Sandi made her home in Menasha and began teaching Spanish for the Menasha School District in 1970. Sandi achieved many notable accomplishments in her 27 years of teaching. She earned her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with highest honors and studied at the U.S. Naval Academy on post Master's work. She served as an adjunct professor for off-campus Spanish classes and as the Dept. Chair for the High School Foreign Language Dept. She used her education, interest in computers and knowledge to develop innovative strategies to use technology in teaching world languages and assisted in the creation of an Interactive Multimedia Communications Center at Menasha High School. In addition, Sandi was a member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution, the Menasha School District's Quarter Century Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization for key women teachers, and the Menasha Teacher's Union. Her retirement from the school district allowed her time to do what she loved which included traveling, studying her genealogy, creating a small internet business, writing and spending time with family and friends. Sandi is survived by and will be dearly missed by her husband of 30 years: Pedro; her children: Peter (Kari Hawkinson), Eliana, Ana Lina (Blake Lillicrap), Victor (Rene), Pello, Ernesto (Melissa), and Ellie Marrow (Jerry); her mother: Mary Dee Green (Charles); her brother: David (Ben) Hale (Elaine); her great aunt; Alma (Ray) Sanders; her 13 grandchildren, her nephews and many other extended family members. Sandi is further survived by her best friend; Joan Steiner, and the many students and fellow teachers who she has influenced greatly in her 27 years of teaching. Sandi was preceded in death by her father: Eldon Hale; and a son: Juan Carlos Briones.

Sandi was an extraordinary woman and was an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know her. Although she has left us, her spirit will forever shine bright in those who love her.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 9, 2001 at Valley Baptist Church, 3600 N. Richmond Street, Appleton with Pastor Glen Land officiating. Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday evening at the Tri-County Chapel, 3212 South Oneida Street, Menasha. There will be visitation on Monday directly at the church from 10:00 until the time of service. There will be a procession to Highland Memorial Park immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial/scholarship fund has been established in Sandi's name.