Sandra Sue Burney

Sandy was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela.  She was the second child and daughter to Howard and Patricia Hogue, and was a longtime resident of Santa Barbara for over 60 years.  She moved to Santa Barbara with her parents and sister Pam around 1960.  They lived in a 1920’s historical house on Plaza Rubio above the Mission Rose garden after which time the family moved to the the newly built 1500 East Miramar Beach in Montecito.  She attended Roosevelt Elementary School, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Laguna Blanca School.  Her father, Howard Hogue, was a U.S Marine Corps veteran and longtime Vice President of Tidewater Marine Service, a local offshore supply business.

Sandy spent her early years traveling to Capri, Italy, with her best friend, and spent a study abroad year at the Franklin University in Lugano, Switzerland.  She was known for having a great sense of adventure, she was brave and fearless, and eternally curious about life and people.  She loved the outdoors and camping, and was most happy when she was in nature.  She had a natural gift for making everyone around her feel at ease, always saying the right thing at the right time, and she was much loved by her many friends and the extended families she so naturally became a part of.

In 1993, she married longtime local fisherman Scott Burney on the island of Maui and soon after their son Wyatt was born in 1996.  Sandy was a long standing active member in the Santa Barbara community.  She spent 10 years working as an Emergency Medical Technician in the Emergency Room at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.  She also taught CPR classes locally for many years.  From 2012 to 2020 she ran a motorcycle touring business with her  partner Ike.

Sandy will be remembered for being a loving, warm mother, grandmother, and faithful friend.  She is survived by her son Wyatt, partner of many years Horst Ikleman, ex-husband Scott Burney, mother Patricia, stepfather Dave Hamilton, sister-in-law Happy Burney, stepson Justin Pickens, and granddaughter Joie.

A celebration of Sandy’s  life will take place in 2024.  For further information please contact the family.