I met Sandy about 7 years ago. People would ask how long we've known each other and we'd just say forever at the same time. That's how I would describe our friendship. From the very beginning I could tell it was one for a lifetime and it was sadly cut too short, may she rest in peace. Sandy was a wealth of knowledge for me. She was so well traveled and so very smart both intellectually and in life experiences. I spent a lot of time with her. We'd play scrabble and she showed me so many tricks of the game that I actually beat her a couple of times and I don't know who was prouder, her or me. But we always had a fun time. She taught me patience when it came to my husband who has dementia. One time when I was with her I was so mad at him that she sent me to bed in her apartment, and as you know, YOU DON'T ARGUE WITH SANDY. Her neighbors at her previous apartments would call me Sandys' Debbie. I will end my story with this, Sandy I miss you every single day and I have so much love and respect for you. Till I see you next.

I met this wonderful lady in 2012/2013. She was living at Riverplace Condominiums and my job took me there. Her and I just hit if off right from the get go. She was so brilliant and worldly but yet so down to earth. Yes, she spoke her mind but that is what I loved about her. We could sit and chat for hours. I always hated to leave because I loved talking with her. Before she moved to the Douglas and then to Lake Oswego, I always told her if I had a bigger house that I would want her with me. She loved her boys and she had a true Momma heart. I lost my Mom years ago and I always told her she was like a Mom to me. Most recently though, I did not get to visit with her as often and I am very heartbroken over that. But I know she knew how much I loved her! Rest in peace my special friend....It's not goodbye Sandy.....it's I'll see you later. All our love, Glenda and Gary

Sandy Burlingame (1937-2025) BY PAUL DE BARROS Earshot lost one of its earliest and most ardent collaborators on April 12, when writer, editor, and lifetime jazz lover Sandy Burlingame passed away in Portland. She was 88. Burlingame elected to die with dignity after chronic digestive issues turned terminal. Sandy was one feisty gal. When I first met her — at the old University District Jazz Alley, in 1985 — she inquired as to why no one had taken her up on her offer to help with our new venture, Earshot magazine. “I called you, remember?” she said, in a raspy, smoker’s voice. I invited her to the next meeting. By the end of the year, she was not only writing for Earshot she was also on the founding board of directors. Later, she became the editor, though disagreements ended that (she was feisty, remember?), and she started her own magazine, 5/4 , which ran from 1995-98. “I never would have started writing about jazz or published my photographs if it hadn’t been for Sandy,” said Steve Robinson. “She was very generous and encouraging.” In 1997, Sandy moved to Portland, where in 2003 she became editor in chief of Jeremy Wilson’s website, jazzstandards.com, an online resource for fans and musicians about the tunes musicians play. “I will miss Sandy,” said Wilson. “She was very knowledgeable and passionate about jazz. She had a strong personality, yes, but that was part of her charm.” Born and raised in Bartlesville, Okla., Burlingame graduated from the University of Oklahoma, where she was “Miss OU” in 1957. She later earned an M.A. in English literature from the University of Rhode Island and lived in New York and New Jersey. In 1982, she came west, first to Orcas Island, where she produced a 1983 jazz festival featuring Bobby McFerrin, among others, then moved to Seattle in 1985. In addition to her work for Earshot, Sandy conducted interviews for the book, Jackson Street After Hours: The Roots of Jazz in Seattle , and edited two jazz instruction books, Jay Clayton’s Sing Your Own Story , and Randy Halberstadt’s Metaphors for the Musician. Burlingame loved to play word games and even sold a crossword puzzle to the New York Times in 1981. She also loved to cook for company. It was not unusual to run into Ralph Towner, Gary Peacock, Jerry Granelli, or her lifelong friend Jay Clayton, chatting in her Capitol Hill kitchen over hors d’oeuvres and drinks. “She was a broad,” recalled her son, Jason Burlingame, affectionately. “She liked to have a good time, you know? She was pretty fabulous that way.” Burlingame is survived by Jason, of New York, her son Ryan Webster, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and her sister, Teddy Burlingame, of Carbondale, Colorado. Her son Jordan preceded her in death in 2016. Remembrances may be sent to the Freedom From Religion Foundation, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, or Oregon Humane Society. Memories are welcome at the memorial web page, SandyBurlingame.com. Published with permission from Earshot Jazz

Your tribute to your mother says it all. She was a dynamic spirit. As I read your post, bits and pieces of conversations with her those years (the '80.s) ago, primarily at Westside, came to mind. She was the one who alerted me to the fact that tapes would soon be replaced by CD's. At the time I wondered if that could be true. Well, needless to say, I didn't have to wonder long. Within a few months CDs were the rage.

Sandy was a lot of fun -- when she wasn't being ornery. I always liked Sandy. We met when she and I were both on the Board of Directors for our condoinium association. Sandy always had a strong opinion about things. Although her opinion often conflicted with the prevailing viewpoint, that never seemed to bother her. I admired that. Sandy had a contagious laugh and a compelling smile. She showed her generous spirit with unfailing words of support for my often lackluster performance in our group games of "Wordle" and "Quordle". Bye Sandy. Rest in Peace. I will order a burger at John's in your honor.

One of my favorite memories of Sandy was on Orcas Island in the first house she rented. My husband Walt and I had just met her quite recently with our new friend Char McCain. We had been out for dinner and Sandy had us back to her house to have even more drinks! She put on the album from Chariots of Fire and cranked it to the max. We loved it and immediately loved her. She set such a high standard of living, with generosity, adventure and fun. At first I didn't feel worthy of her because she was so smart and so accomplished, but that feeling didn't last long because she was so supporitve and giving. I've never known anyone like her and already miss her tremendously. I have a pic of us sitting on the fountain by her condo in Portland. It features prominently now in my living room and I throw her a kiss on a regular basis. Love you forever my dear, Rave on!!

I first met Sandy in 1986 when Jason and my daughter Aliki were starting high school. In chatting She mentioned the word jazz and that was the beginning of a long, beautiful friendship. We traveled coast to coast from Washington, Oregon, Colorado and New York City going to jazz festivals and events in addition to many nights spent at Jazz Alley in Seattle, listening to jazz greats, most of whom she knew. And also including many trips to Port Townsend jazz festival. Sandy was the most intelligent, caring ,engaging , interesting and fun friend one could ever have, not only to me but to many others as well. Being her friend was a blessing . I miss her so much. Her spirit is always with me. MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL! Sending love , Annette.

Sandy was my next door neighbor, and my very dear friend. Although she left Glen Wild Lake many years ago, we have kept in touch over the years. Each phone call ’seemed like only yesterday” as we reminisced about good times together, doing crossword puzzles , listening to the Eagles late in the evening with a glass of wine, tramping through the woods” gathering wild grapes, and then,… one of her most favorite things…. making wild grape jelly,( one year, over 80 jars of it). In addition to her beautiful quilts, macrame and needlepoint, Sandy joined me in taking some fun adult evening courses including candlemaking, jewelry making, sculpting, painting, auto mechanics (but that’s another story!). As well as being a diversely accomplished person, she was a kind, generous friend, and definitely was “one of a kind“, never afraid to speak her mind. She will be greatly missed. I send my deepest sympathy to Jason, Teddy, and family. Doris Fatzler