My name is Brian Sanford, my father is Nathan Sanford, and I’m raising funds to honor my mother, Cathy Sanford, who passed away on August 3rd at 7:05 PM Pacific Standard Time.

Cathy was a woman of quiet strength, deep faith, and boundless love. Her warmth drew people in—through her laughter, gentle wisdom, and the way she made anyone feel at home with just a smile. She was not only my mother, but my fiercest advocate, especially during my long recovery from childhood brain cancer. Cathy handled every medical appointment, school meeting, and late-night worry with unwavering steadiness.

She had a soft spot for animals, especially our rescue cats, and found joy in the little things—flowers blooming, a good cup of coffee, handwritten letters. Cathy loved tending her garden, surrounding herself with life and color. As a devoted military spouse to my father Nathan Sanford, a veteran, she stood beside him with strength and grace through every chapter of life, loving him with quiet devotion for 51 years since their marriage in 1974.

Cathy also had a deep love for education and spent years tutoring children in our community. For her, it was never just about homework—it was about helping kids feel seen, supported, and capable. She formed meaningful bonds with the families she tutored, often becoming a beloved figure in their lives. Her students and their families fondly knew her as “Miss Cathy,” a name she held close to her heart.

We are doing everything we can to give Cathy a peaceful Catholic funeral service and a VA burial at Miramar National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with dignity, love, and the honor she deserves as a veteran’s spouse. Sadly, both my father and I have been out of work since her diagnosis in May, and this long period of caregiving has deeply impacted our financial stability. Like many families facing medical crises, we’ve struggled to keep up with daily expenses—let alone the unexpected costs of funeral arrangements and burial planning. We are working to cover the most basic arrangements, including funeral home expenses, burial transportation and VA coordination, memorial materials, and hospice-related costs not fully covered by insurance.

Beyond donations, we would be deeply grateful for any way friends, family, or our community can help us honor Cathy’s memory. Sharing a favorite memory or photo of Cathy—whether heartfelt, funny, or a moment when she made a difference—means so much to us. Please reach out to my dad; even a short message or kind word helps ease the quiet that follows loss. If you’re local, we hope you’ll consider attending her funeral service we are planning to have a funeral ceremony on August 14th at 11am at Bravo Family Mortuary and burial at Miramar National Cemetery.

Flowers may also be sent directly to the mortuary: Bravo Family Mortuary, 4427 Rainier Ave, San Diego, CA 92120. Again the service will be on August 14th at 11am, and be held at the mortuary. Details for service include a 30 minute service at the mortuary and 30 minute service at Miramar National Cemetery for the burial.

Your presence and support, in any form, bring comfort and strength to our family.

Thank you for helping us give Cathy the farewell she deserves.

With gratitude,

Brian & Nathan Sanford