Norma Sands
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In Memoriam

Norma Sandsby David Caprera July 3, 2020
Norma Sands was a bridge teacher, writer, player and a pillar of the Colorado bridge community for many years. I learned last night that she passed away last month at the age of 81. I am told she died quickly with her family at her bedside. Even several days before her death she was still giving Zoom bridge lessons.
Norma had a studio, taught at local bridge clubs, country clubs and retirement homes, did bridge cruises, and was a regular speaker at sectional, regional and national tournaments. She had the teacher's gift of knowing how beginners learned and their pitfalls along the way. She also published a number of books, pamphlets and bridge CDs (remember those) including one in collaboration with Jan Janitschke which won the ABTA "best of the year" award.
Norma always had a smile. She had an explosive laugh that could be heard across a room. And she had a distinctive voice that needed no introduction. She is one of the first bridge players I befriended when Annie and I moved to Denver in 1979. She would sometimes call me at home or in the office and rather than the typical, "Hi Dave, this is Norma. How are Annie and the kids?", our conversations would often start, Me: "Hello". Norma: "You hold..."
Colorado learned bridge from Norma Sands. Whenever I was asked, "Where can someone learn to play bridge?", Norma was the obvious response. In the current world situation it is very difficult to determine where bridge is going but whatever direction that may be, Norma's absence will surely be felt. Reprinted from: https://bridgewinners.com/article/view/norma-sands/

A note from Debbie...

I began working for Norma in 1991 when she opened her first Bridge Instruction Studio at the Jr League Building. I helped with newsletters, website, calls, registrations, bookkeeping, checking boards and helping to proof her numerous writings. It was always a little embarrasing to be introduced to her classes, but this usually came with a laugh as she relayed how she nick-named me "Radar" after the M*A*S*H character who always seemed to know what his commander would need and handed it to him before the request was fully out of his mouth. This truly happened between us nearly every time we worked together. Norma had a way of demanding the best of the people in her life and in my case this was no exception. I credit her with giving me the courage to become an entrepreneur and open my own counseling practice, I credit her with nurturing and helping me to express my own quick wit and teaching me what good medicine it is to have a good hearty laugh that erupts from deep in the belly. Thanks Norma, my life is richer for knowing you and I miss you.
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