Sandra Jean Blum

 1930 - 2017

 

October 5, 1930 - November 22, 2017 Sandra Jean Blum, 87, of Los Angeles, passed away on Nov. 22. Born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 5, 1930, Sandy was the only child of Abe and Gertrude Solomon. Upon graduation from Central High School in 1948, Sandy moved to California to pursue a career as a screen actress (as Sandra White). Under contract to Paramount, she performed in featured roles in such cult classics as Fritz Lang's 1956 film noir "While the City Sleeps" (as the iconic serial murder victim in the opening scene) and Frank Tashlin's 1956 rock and roll musical "The Girl Can't Help It" (as the cigarette girl who leaps into a spontaneous dance number with Tom Ewell), Wilbur's wife, Carlotta, in the original pilot for "Mr. Ed," as well as guest parts in diverse television series, including "77 Sunset Strip," "Johnny Ringo," "The Detectives," "Hennesey," "Arrest and Trial," "Michael Shayne," and "Father Knows Best." Sandy retired from acting in 1961 when she married David Blum and became stepmother to his daughters, Bonnie (Blum) Burman and Virginia Blum, who grew up adoring her. Although Sandy and David divorced in 1978, she remained a devoted second mother to Bonnie and Virginia, mother-in-law to Bonnie's husband, Terry Burman, and grandmother ("Nanny Sandy") to Virginia's son, Alex, for the rest of her life. She was "Auntie Sandy" to Lincoln and Lara. Sandy was the glowing center of an extended family that includes not only her friends but also their children and children's children. Through the various transitions of divorce and remarriage characterizing so many families today, Sandy, with her unwavering commitment to those she loved, managed to sustain relationships across the fault lines. Irresistibly charming as she was, even David's forbidding ex-mother-in-law ultimately counted Sandy among her close friends. Sandy volunteered at Cedar Sinai's emergency room for 18 years where she brought comfort to hundreds of patients. With her unaffected luminous beauty, effusive warmth, and irrepressible sense of humor, Sandy had a unique talent for bringing people together. She was a superb hostess who celebrated her friends and family through countless luncheons and dinner parties, replete with great food and stimulating conversation. Always deeply engaged by current social and political events, Sandy relished a good debate. She was an avid reader with an encyclopedic knowledge of film and film history. To the end of her life, she could recount in vivid detail the last days of the studio era of which she was a part. Her many friends and family are deeply grateful for the vitality, generosity and unconditional love that she contributed to our lives. Every day of her life, Sandy made her loved ones feel cherished. We will miss her sorely. There will be a private interment. A memorial service in her honor will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Sandy may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: (https://www.stjude.org/give.html), the Motion Picture Retirement Home (https://www.mptf.com/ways-to-give) or a charity of your choice.

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Published in Los Angeles Times on Dec. 3, 2017. 

 

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=sandra-jean-blum&pid=187418461

 

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