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Sandra Lee Burman: 8/14/43 – 12/2/19
Your donations will go toward the memorial service for Sandy, being help 12/15/19 at the Motion Picture and Television Fund and then a Celebration of her Life immediately following.
She was born Sandra Lee Hoerber but most simply knew her as “Sandy.” And although she raised but two children, she was a “Mom” to many.
As a young girl it was put upon her to handle things at home and to care for her three brothers while their parents both worked. She did this while also going to school – Ritchie Valens was a classmate -- and learning to play the accordion. At age 18, fresh out of high school, she married and became Sandra Burman. By 19 she was already expecting the first of her two sons. While her husband took whatever work he could find in order to make ends meet, Sandy kept the house running and the baby fed, even if it was as simple as crackers with butter and jam.
Soon her husband began working as a make-up artist in the 20th Century Fox apprenticeship program and Sandy brought her second child into the world. The family of four grew and, in time, thrived in the film and television industries, primarily in the field of make-up effects. And Sandy was the grounding element.
Yes, she continued to be a maternal figure to her sons, and even her brothers, but she also became a surrogate mom for her nieces and nephews and to friends and to the friends of friends. No matter who you were, she would support you as if you were family, often with a big hug and a few kind words. If you were in need, she was there for you and she made sure the front door was always open. No one was ever restricted from enjoying a group dinner, whether it was tacos, with Grandma’s secret taco sauce, spaghetti with homemade Bolognese, or barbecue, or take-out… all were welcome.
As her children grew, and became somewhat more self-sufficient, Sandy took on the role of partner in her husband’s intensifying business, The Burman Studio. As Secretary, Purchasing Agent and Social Coordinator she breathed life and joy and intimacy into the workplace. She held the hands of many a nervous actor in order to keep them sedate during potentially claustrophobic life-casting procedures. She also made sure the crew had lunch on hectic workdays when there was no time for a break. Long days at The Burman Studio, long evenings taking care of her crew.
At the age of 40 – after a divorce – Sandy found herself at a crossroads and she decided to start her own business. She began with a single product, the newly christened “Burman Foam Latex,” and quickly expanded into Burman Industries, the materials supply warehouse for the special effects and make-up fx industries. The store was the first of its kind, and though others have sprouted up in more recent years, one would be hard pressed to find one with the same vibe. Sandy had a way of making everyone who walked in feel special and welcome. And long before Face Book, Sandy created a wall dedicated for the artists who shopped in her store to post pictures of their work.
She would interact personally and directly with anyone and everyone. Like some of the more altruistic characters in a Frank Capra film, she had your back, regardless of who you were or what your background might be. She would keep the store open when it was 5 minutes to closing when someone would call to say they were on their way from Hollywood… or come in after closing because they had an emergency deadline and were out of materials. Low on funds? Sandy was likely, with a conspiratorial wink, to mark the price down until a desperate artist could afford it… or she might have just slip whatever one needed into a bag, along with a handful of tootsie pops from the candy jar. Sandy was always happy to hear the tales of your last project and dream with you about the next one. She wanted everyone to succeed! Because that’s what brought her joy.
When she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she kept up a brave face and tried not to let it slow her down. But the disease and slow times in the film industry took their toll. Before long she found herself in a wheelchair and opted to sell the business. Her customers were saddened, of course, but still happy that her legacy, Burman Industries, continues to this day.
With newfound free time on her hand, Sandy rediscovered her love of collecting and building miniature doll houses, shadowboxes and vignettes. Her collection grew in her home until she was literally surrounded by her own creations; such as a 1’/1” scale kitchen, ransacked by children who have their babysitter tied up in a chair, or a Brother’s Grimm style chateau made from egg cartons. But her masterpiece, however, has to be the reproduction of a San Francisco Victorian style house, which boasts removable staircases and a working electrical system. A stunning achievement and beautiful to behold.
She was a better artist than she ever gave herself credit for with meticulous craftsmanship and a vivid imagination. More recently she’d discovered she had a wonderful talent for watercolors and began painting backgrounds, which could be seen through tiny windows and gave her miniatures additional scope and dimension. But her modesty won out and she usually thought nothing much of it; she was certain that it was the rest of us who were the talented ones.
From the young girl who cared for the family household and played the accordion, to the highly revered businesswoman and friendly confidant of literally hundreds of her customers, Sandy was truly one of a kind. She had a strong will and a true lust for life. She is survived by her mother, Marie Hoerber, her brothers, Thomas, Richard, and Robert Hoerber, and her two sons, Robert and Barney Burman. She will be missed more than can be described. Her family takes solace knowing she is at peace.
Leftover funds will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Your donations will go toward the memorial service for Sandy, being help 12/15/19 at the Motion Picture and Television Fund and then a Celebration of her Life immediately following.
She was born Sandra Lee Hoerber but most simply knew her as “Sandy.” And although she raised but two children, she was a “Mom” to many.
As a young girl it was put upon her to handle things at home and to care for her three brothers while their parents both worked. She did this while also going to school – Ritchie Valens was a classmate -- and learning to play the accordion. At age 18, fresh out of high school, she married and became Sandra Burman. By 19 she was already expecting the first of her two sons. While her husband took whatever work he could find in order to make ends meet, Sandy kept the house running and the baby fed, even if it was as simple as crackers with butter and jam.
Soon her husband began working as a make-up artist in the 20th Century Fox apprenticeship program and Sandy brought her second child into the world. The family of four grew and, in time, thrived in the film and television industries, primarily in the field of make-up effects. And Sandy was the grounding element.
Yes, she continued to be a maternal figure to her sons, and even her brothers, but she also became a surrogate mom for her nieces and nephews and to friends and to the friends of friends. No matter who you were, she would support you as if you were family, often with a big hug and a few kind words. If you were in need, she was there for you and she made sure the front door was always open. No one was ever restricted from enjoying a group dinner, whether it was tacos, with Grandma’s secret taco sauce, spaghetti with homemade Bolognese, or barbecue, or take-out… all were welcome.
As her children grew, and became somewhat more self-sufficient, Sandy took on the role of partner in her husband’s intensifying business, The Burman Studio. As Secretary, Purchasing Agent and Social Coordinator she breathed life and joy and intimacy into the workplace. She held the hands of many a nervous actor in order to keep them sedate during potentially claustrophobic life-casting procedures. She also made sure the crew had lunch on hectic workdays when there was no time for a break. Long days at The Burman Studio, long evenings taking care of her crew.
At the age of 40 – after a divorce – Sandy found herself at a crossroads and she decided to start her own business. She began with a single product, the newly christened “Burman Foam Latex,” and quickly expanded into Burman Industries, the materials supply warehouse for the special effects and make-up fx industries. The store was the first of its kind, and though others have sprouted up in more recent years, one would be hard pressed to find one with the same vibe. Sandy had a way of making everyone who walked in feel special and welcome. And long before Face Book, Sandy created a wall dedicated for the artists who shopped in her store to post pictures of their work.
She would interact personally and directly with anyone and everyone. Like some of the more altruistic characters in a Frank Capra film, she had your back, regardless of who you were or what your background might be. She would keep the store open when it was 5 minutes to closing when someone would call to say they were on their way from Hollywood… or come in after closing because they had an emergency deadline and were out of materials. Low on funds? Sandy was likely, with a conspiratorial wink, to mark the price down until a desperate artist could afford it… or she might have just slip whatever one needed into a bag, along with a handful of tootsie pops from the candy jar. Sandy was always happy to hear the tales of your last project and dream with you about the next one. She wanted everyone to succeed! Because that’s what brought her joy.
When she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she kept up a brave face and tried not to let it slow her down. But the disease and slow times in the film industry took their toll. Before long she found herself in a wheelchair and opted to sell the business. Her customers were saddened, of course, but still happy that her legacy, Burman Industries, continues to this day.
With newfound free time on her hand, Sandy rediscovered her love of collecting and building miniature doll houses, shadowboxes and vignettes. Her collection grew in her home until she was literally surrounded by her own creations; such as a 1’/1” scale kitchen, ransacked by children who have their babysitter tied up in a chair, or a Brother’s Grimm style chateau made from egg cartons. But her masterpiece, however, has to be the reproduction of a San Francisco Victorian style house, which boasts removable staircases and a working electrical system. A stunning achievement and beautiful to behold.
She was a better artist than she ever gave herself credit for with meticulous craftsmanship and a vivid imagination. More recently she’d discovered she had a wonderful talent for watercolors and began painting backgrounds, which could be seen through tiny windows and gave her miniatures additional scope and dimension. But her modesty won out and she usually thought nothing much of it; she was certain that it was the rest of us who were the talented ones.
From the young girl who cared for the family household and played the accordion, to the highly revered businesswoman and friendly confidant of literally hundreds of her customers, Sandy was truly one of a kind. She had a strong will and a true lust for life. She is survived by her mother, Marie Hoerber, her brothers, Thomas, Richard, and Robert Hoerber, and her two sons, Robert and Barney Burman. She will be missed more than can be described. Her family takes solace knowing she is at peace.
Leftover funds will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.