With heavy hearts, the family of Sandra Lynn Breitenbucher, shares with you the sad news of her passing on April 2, 2025, at age 87. Sandra was born on August 27th, 1937 in Oakland, California to parents Donald W. Cameron and Thelma Halstead Cameron. She cherished her family and demonstrated over her lifetime an unwavering and unbreakable devotion to her parents and siblings.
Sandra grew up in San Leandro, California with her loving family, an older sister Donna, her younger brother David, and her youngest sister Linda. While attending San Jose State University she met the love of her life, Donald Breitenbucher. Following their graduation from San Jose State in 1955, they were married in Carmel, California and settled in Manteca, CA where Don joined his father’s business, Joaquin Tire Service.
Don and Sandra had two children, son David Breitenbucher of Manteca, CA and daughter Lynn Garcia of Turlock, CA. Lynn and her mom often traveled together, making fond memories of precious mother-daughter time. David’s memories include his mom’s love of chocolate, her passion for his Dad and their family, as well as her devotion to her teaching profession. Sandra and Don enjoyed traveling, playing golf, and socializing with family and friends. Sandra lost her beloved husband in 2020.
Sandra was one of those people with a heart for all humanity, but a special place in that heart for children who came to school with many roadblocks to success. This love for children led to 38 years of teaching, starting in 1959, teaching second grade for Cupertino Unified and then moving on to be a Head Start Coordinator and Teacher. Over the years, she narrowed her advanced teacher training and experiences to focus on literacy for students in the Manteca Unified School District. She served as a Reading Specialist, Language Arts Mentor, Calla English and Reading Teacher, a Reading Recovery Teacher, and an Even Start Coordinator. Reluctantly, Sandra retired in 1999. Even after retirement, she continued to work with first graders who were struggling to learn to read. When asked why she kept teaching, she would quietly say, “This child deserves to learn how to read, and I can help him.”
The same skills Sandra used in her teaching, as well as her quiet, charismatic, caring manner, were present in her personal life. Her Birthday Club and Bridge Club friends, her immediate family, and her grandchildren loved spending time with her. Sandra had a passion for reading and gardening, and liked to dabble in watercolor painting. She also pursued her dream of promoting literacy by opening the first book store in Manteca, aptly named The Giving Tree.
Family members have been eagerly sharing their memories of Sandra. They have described Sandra as a most dignified, gracious, beautiful, witty woman with much wisdom. “If you ever knew her, you would never forget her charming smile!” Her sister Linda shared that Sandra respected their differences and reveled in their likenesses. She modeled for Linda the meaning of love, family, friends, loyalty and a meaningful life.
Sandra is survived by her son David and wife Rochelle, her daughter Lynn and husband Miguel, her grandchildren, Billy Scace, Christopher Breitenbucher and wife Chelsea, Johnny Cardoza and wife LeeAnne, Jacob Cardoza and wife Elizabeth, Kenji Breitenbucher, Michael Garcia, Marcus Garcia, and six great- grandchildren. In addition, she leaves her beloved sister Linda Hoff and husband Jay, sister-in-law Mrs. David Cameron, loving nieces and nephews, in-laws, and cherished friends.
You are invited to attend Sandra’s graveside service at the Ripon Cemetery on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at Spring Creek Country Club in Ripon. Memorial gifts may be made to Family Promise or a charity of your choice.
Family Promise of San Joaquin County
6148 Gettysburg Place
Stockton, CA 95207
(Online donations available as well)
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Breitenbucher family. An online guestbook for condolences can be found at www.plfryandson.com
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, April 11, 202
