Marlene (Mar) Sandbo

Marlene Sandbo left this earth on April 24, 2022. Her final wish was that her husband of 41 years and three children be by her side and thanks to the loving support of the staff of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis she had her wish. She left us too quickly but knowing she is out of pain gives us peace. Diagnosed with cancer just 9 short days before her death, she spent her last week in the hospital talking of all those who were being left behind and making sure that everything would be taken care of once she was gone. Even in her final days she cared for others in a way that was exemplary of God's love for others. Mar, as she was known to all who love her, lived life on her terms. She was born on November 24, 1959 and was raised in Scobey, Montana. She was friends with everyone she met and forgiveness came easily to Mar who couldn't hold a grudge if she tried. She had her first son, Cory, who showed her what love truly meant. Shortly after graduating, she went on her first big adventure and moved to Spokane, Washington in 1979. There she worked as a CNA in a nursing home and met the love of her life, Kevin Sandbo, who was a CNA at a different nursing home. After hearing him laughing with his friends in an elevator she quit her job and applied at Kevin's work and the rest is history. Kevin and Mar were married in Scobey, Montana on August 23, 1980. With them were family and the friends who had become their family. The next year they had their son, Michel. Kevin joined the Airforce and they moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. There they had their daughter, Michelle. Mar loved being a Mom more than anything. She continued to work and care for others while also caring for their children. After Kevin left the Airforce they moved to Salem to be an hour from the beach and an hour from the mountains. Ten years later, after realizing they rarely went to the mountains but loved the beach, Mar asked Kevin to join her and move to the beach. Newport is where they made their home. Shortly after moving to Newport, Mar and Kevin both changed professions from medical to retail. Mar started working at Newport Candy Shoppe in 1998 and was the manager there for over 20 years. Affectionately known as "The Candy Lady" to many, she spent 23 years there bringing smiles and laughing with friends and strangers alike. Her husband, Kevin, had a stroke ten years ago and Mar helped him regain his health enough to join her and hang out with her every day. Even after being together 43 years they still were able to find joy in being together every moment. As their granddaughter said just two weeks ago, they were the perfect example of love, "they even finish each other's bickers." Mar's greatest joy was her Grandchildren. She went to every recital, play, and event she possibly could. She was their biggest fan and they all loved their "Grammy" "Mermaw" and "Grandma" more than anyone. Through the years she was "Mom" and "Grammy" to countless people who crossed her path. Opening her home to teens who had nowhere else to go, inviting extra people to holidays so no one would be alone, making extra meals, finding furniture for someone who needed it for their new place, taking care of ill and dying friends, and bringing extra bouquets to her Grandkids' performances so that every other child there would get a flower too. Mar left a legacy of love everywhere she went. She is survived by her husband, Kevin Sandbo; her children Cory and Jen Tweden, Michel and Elena Sandbo, and Michelle and Kinder Cottrell; her grandchildren Hailey and Kelsey Tweden, Riley, Evelyn, and Mason Sandbo, and Sophie and Sean Cottrell; brother Ronnie (Barb) Plante; sisters Deanna (Mark) Jenson and Marj (Andy) Hersel; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and Cory's Mom, Jean King, who she loved and appreciated more than anyone. Mar was preceded in death by her mother, Beverly Brooks and father Elton Plante, stepfather Ed Brooks and stepmother Connie Cameron, brother Terry Plante, sister-in-law Denise Sandbo, and her grandson Payton Tweden. Her last message to those left behind was to be kind and forgive. She told us all to remember that "It's okay to be sad but always remember I loved and lived more in 62 years than most people get in 100." Mar was never one for flowers or cards and in lieu of these the family is asking that you donate to the people of Ukraine. This was a mission that Mar was passionate about and we know that is what she would want more than anything. You can find verified ways to help Ukraine at Euromaidenpress.com or contact the family and they can get you in touch with Shannon Heisler who inspired Mar with her direct efforts to help those in Ukraine. The family will have a celebration of life to celebrate Mar July 23, 2022 at Ona Beach where she loved to look for rocks with her beloved Kevin.

Tributes

Marlene (Mar) Sandbo

November 24, 1959 - April 24, 2022