Sandra Marie Petri Cleary

Sandra Marie Petri Cleary was a woman who touched many people in her 80 years. Sandra
was smart, curious, empathetic, and clever. She was witty and well read. Anyone who met our
mom quickly learned how much she truly cared about people. She treasured her family above
all else.
Sandra was born in Oakland, California on February 2, 1944, to her Italian immigrant parents,
Iole and Vittorio Petri. Her brother, Franco, was 16 when she was born. Sandra was an aunt at
nine and had a deep love and affection for her brother and sister-in-law, Madeline, and her four
nieces (Vickie, Valerie, Donna, and Denise) and nephew (Dave), their spouses and their
children. Sandra’s upbringing included vacations in Lake County, poker and pinochle in the
basement, time with her pop at the box yard, dancing with her cousins at the Columbo Club and
boisterous Italian meals with her large extended family.
Sandra met Edwin (Mick) Cleary, who bowled with her pop at College Bowl in Oakland. They
married in August 1965 and began their family several years later. They had three daughters,
Christine (Andrew Draa), Amanda (Jerad Patterson) and Madelyn. Mick and Sandra moved six
times in 12 years and every time they moved Sandra packed up the old house, settled her
daughters in new schools, made new friends and built a home for her family.
Sandra attended two years of college after high school but put aside her education to marry and
raise a family. She re-enrolled in college as a working mom and her daughters teased her for
ruining the curve for her classmates! She valued learning and made college a priority for her
daughters. Sandra went back to work when her daughters were school aged and loved working
at St. Ignatius Parish, Jesuit High School, and American River College. She truly hit her stride
as the English Area secretary at ARC and enjoyed every moment of her work there. She loved
surrounding herself with smart people. She won Classified Employee of the year in 1998 and
was beloved by her work family.
Sandra took care of so many. She loved to read, knit, and play bridge. She was a convener of
people. She treasured her friendships and modeled that for her daughters. She cooked for her
family regularly and was a generous gift-giver. But her all-time favorite activity was spending
time with her grandchildren. They were her pride and joy and she instilled in them a legacy of
love and value for family. Brenna and Brooke Patterson, Jack, Duke and Delaney Draa, and
Sofia and Sam Vacheron will always be her favorite people and they will carry her in their hearts
forever. We will miss our mom and Nonna every day.
Please join us for a Celebration of Sandra’s life on Saturday, August 17 th at the St. Ignatius
Parish Center (3235 Arden Way, Sacramento 95825) from 11:30-1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers or
donations please gather with those you love, enjoy a delicious Italian meal and raise a glass of
vino (or a gin martini!) in honor of Sandra. Salute!