Sandra Mintz Denburg

DENBURG, MINTZ, TRANEL, VALDES, PORTELA

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 7/12/2023 at 11:57:44

Sandra Mintz Denburg, 83, a 15-year resident of Coralville, Iowa, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2023 as a result of complications from a stroke she suffered in March.

Sandra was born in Liverpool, England, the daughter of the late Esther and Nathan Mintz. The family flourished in Liverpool after the War, and Sandra enjoyed an idyllic upbringing, with numerous Aunts, Uncles, and cousins within walking distance. Large Friday night dinners at her Yiddish-speaking grandparents’ home were a weekly event. During her work as an executive secretary, she met her husband of 55 years, Marvin Denburg, an American completing his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool. Following marriage and the birth of their first child, Natalie, Sandra was excited by the opportunity to relocate to America. Once in the United States, a son, Stephen, joined the family, and they lived in Oneonta, New York for 32 years. There, she devoted countless hours as a volunteer fundraiser for Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Association; co-founded a monthly social club for expats, the BritChicks; and later, served as office manager for her husband’s psychological practice. Sandra was always fun, lively, and ready to have a good laugh. She had no qualms about conquering her children at nightly card games and taking all their money. She proudly became a U.S. Citizen in 1994. Still, she loved being asked about the Beatles, giving her a chance to describe watching them live at the Cavern Club during her lunch hours against her father’s directives.

She and Marvin moved to Iowa when their first grandchild arrived. She cherished being near her three granddaughters and was so proud of their achievements. Sandra immediately embraced life in Iowa, and “it’s all happening in Iowa City” was a constant refrain that she would tell her son living in sleepy Manhattan.

Sandra loved being a homemaker, and took great pride in her home. She was always on the hunt for antiques and special finds and would excitedly share what she discovered. Fastidious to a fault, she would remind us that dusty baseboards were never acceptable. She will be remembered as a consummate host, always cooking and entertaining, be it dinner parties or family holidays. Her noodle pudding was legendary and greatly anticipated at special events and family occasions.

For her, family came first and she stood by them no matter what. Marvin was her great love and they had never spent a night apart until decades into their marriage when health issues made that impossible. She loved to make him chicken soup and cared for him through many illnesses.

She was fair to a fault, championed the underdog, and was never afraid to say what was on her mind. In recent years, Sandra was dismayed by the crudeness that had become more common in politics and society and was worried that the world was turning into a place that resembled what her forebears had fled during the 19th century.

She dealt with the after effects of her stroke with dignity and a healthy dose of stubbornness just as she did with everything else in life, and was directing us on what to do right up until the end.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Marvin Denburg; her daughter, Natalie Denburg (Daniel Tranel), and three granddaughters: Sidney, Darin, and Alexis Tranel of Riverside, Iowa; and her son, Stephen Denburg (N. Michel Hernandez Valdes-Portela), of Manhattan, New York. She is also survived by her brother, Dr. Barry Mintz, of Liverpool, England, many dear family members in England and Australia, as well as her extended family in Iowa and Wisconsin.

Special thanks to Sandra’s treating professionals over the years, including Dr. Raymond Wiblin, Ms. Emily Rockafellow, Dr. Mohammed Amarneh, Dr. Douglas LaBrecque, and the late Dr. Dale Bieber. The family benefited tremendously from the kind words and direction from Dr. Jonathan Day during Sandra’s final days.

The family will greet friends from 5-7:30 pm on Wednesday, June 28th at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Services, Iowa City. A family committal service will be held at Agudas Achim Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to your local Hospice or wherever your heart calls you.

May her memory be a blessing.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

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