APUNA, SANDI R. 66, of Mesa, Arizona passed away peacefully on January 31, 2014. She was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, graduated from high school in Huntertown, Indiana, received a B.A. degree in Creative Drama and Elementary Education from the University of Washington in Seattle, and an M.Ed degree in Reading and Language Arts from the University of Hawaii. In Hawaii Sandi worked with John Hancock as marketing manager, President of East Honolulu Association of Life Underwriters, served with the Business and Professional Women's foundation, Junior League of Honolulu, listed in the "Who's Who of American Women, Reserve Officers Association, The Retired Officers Association, and taught at Solomon Elementary school, Schofield. Sandi moved to Mesa in 1992 and worked in the Gilbert Public Schools in Gilbert Arizona, first as a reading specialist and ultimately as the District reading interventionist. She specialized in reading development and dyslexia, implemented curricula, and trained many reading specialists in the District before retiring in 2013. She also was active in the U.S. Army Reserve, where she rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After 9/11, she served for two years as an anti-terrorism officer with the Pacific Command in Hawaii and was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Samuel K. Apuna, who died in 2010. She is survived by her step- mother Charlotte Rosenberry; her brother Dr. Terrone Rosenberry; her step- daughters Melanie Denny, Michelle Barker and Melissa Apuna and her step-sons Samuel Apuna III and John Apuna; 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Visitation 9 am. on Wednesday, Feb.19, 2014 at Nuuanu Memorial Park, service at 10 am., committal service 1pm. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, or to the American Cancer Society.
APUNA, SANDI R. 66, of Mesa, Arizona passed away peacefully on January 31, 2014. She was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, graduated from high school in Huntertown, Indiana, received a B.A. degree in Creative Drama and Elementary Education from the University of Washington in Seattle, and an M.Ed degree in Reading and Language Arts from the University of Hawaii. In Hawaii Sandi worked with John Hancock as marketing manager, President of East Honolulu Association of Life Underwriters, served with the Business and Professional Women's foundation, Junior League of Honolulu, listed in the "Who's Who of American Women, Reserve Officers Association, The Retired Officers Association, and taught at Solomon Elementary school, Schofield. Sandi moved to Mesa in 1992 and worked in the Gilbert Public Schools in Gilbert Arizona, first as a reading specialist and ultimately as the District reading interventionist. She specialized in reading development and dyslexia, implemented curricula, and trained many reading specialists in the District before retiring in 2013. She also was active in the U.S. Army Reserve, where she rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After 9/11, she served for two years as an anti-terrorism officer with the Pacific Command in Hawaii and was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Samuel K. Apuna, who died in 2010. She is survived by her step- mother Charlotte Rosenberry; her brother Dr. Terrone Rosenberry; her step- daughters Melanie Denny, Michelle Barker and Melissa Apuna and her step-sons Samuel Apuna III and John Apuna; 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Visitation 9 am. on Wednesday, Feb.19, 2014 at Nuuanu Memorial Park, service at 10 am., committal service 1pm. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, or to the American Cancer Society.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
