Lynnette Collier Sands died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Los Gatos, Calif. on May 14. She was 69.

She was raised Mill Valley, Calif. and was a school track star. She ran her husband’s construction business for 40 years and a pumpkin and Christmas tree business for 25 years. She spent her life among the redwoods and loved the natural world, especially dogs. She loved California’s beaches.

She was defined by her caring nature and excitement to celebrate with family and friends, She delighted in traveling the world with her husband Chris and son Spencer. She took extreme joy being a grandmother and thrilled at sharing her love of art with her granddaughter.

Martha’s Vineyard was a special place for her and she especially loved the community and the beaches, walking from the Sands family home on East Chop to the lighthouse, both morning and night, taking in the crisp ocean air and reveling in the wonders of New England. Her love for the Vineyard will be memorialized at the Sands family East Chop home in many ways, including planting a memorial tree and garden.

Lynn is survived by her husband, brother Douglas, niece Jacquiline, daughter Eva Jean, son Spencer and his wife Josie, and the large Sands family that lives around the country and world.