Sandra Bernhardt (22 Aug 1942 - 13 Nov 2025)

In loving memory of Sandra Bernhardt who sadly passed away on 13th November 2025.
Sandra grew up near Fakenham in Norfolk. She was the only child of Matthew and Irene Heap. After school she had a variety of jobs, working on the land and on nearby US and UK Air Force bases. At one time she worked for the family who owned the Thursford Collection and started the Thursford Christmas Spectacular!
She met Alan in her local pub The Crown. He was serving in the Air Force at nearby RAF Raynham at the time. After a whirlwind romance they married in February 1963 and shortly thereafter Alan left for RAF Nicosia in Cyprus with Sandra joining him soon afterwards. They enjoyed their time in Cyprus and their daughter, Tania was born there after they moved to Akrotiri. Three years later, their son Craig arrived and their family was complete. He was born at RAF Turnhill in Shropshire after they had returned to England. Alan was stationed here and it was where he finished out his RAF career.They then moved to Ilkeston in Derbyshire then Birstall in Leicestershire followed by Murrow then Parson Drove in Cambridgeshire.
Sandra continued to enjoy a variety of jobs, she worked on the land, as a school dinner lady, house cleaner, supermarket check-out worker, and finally village shop assistant. She always worked jobs that fit around her home and family.
Their final move was to Haughley in Suffolk where they lived close to their daughter Tania.
Sandra adored her family and was so proud of her children and grandchildren. She had three grandsons, Joseph, Matthew and Dominic and a granddaughter Charlotte. She was happiest when she was spending time with them. She and Alan loved their holidays and managed to travel quite a bit visiting Australia, New Zealand, China and Singapore as well as many other places on various cruises. They also made frequent trips to the US to visit Tania.
Sandra was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease just before they moved to Haughley and the cruel progression of this disease slowly robbed her of her ability to enjoy and live her life independently. For this reason we ask that instead of flowers you consider donating to Parkinson’s UK.