Sandra Marjorie Mora Savas

Sandra “Sandy” Marjorie Mora Savas, aged 82, passed away Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 in Centerville, Utah, peacefully at home with her two daughters, after a long but graceful battle with cancer.

Sandy was born on February 24th, 1944, to Mary “Margie” Hardcastle in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she was raised by her artistic mother and hardworking father, Nolan Hardcastle. The eldest daughter of five children, throughout her life, Sandy was a trustworthy confidant, loyal friend, and role model to her family. She is remembered as a devoted daughter and sister.

In 1963, Sandy gave birth to her first child, Tod. In 1968, she and her husband, George D. Savas, welcomed their first daughter, Nickole, followed by their youngest in 1970, Mishell. After the passing of George, for most of her children’s lives, Sandy was a dedicated single mother, demonstrative of both hard work and play. She prided herself on providing a safe and beautiful life for her children, spoiling them with hand-made matching outfits, home-cooked meals from family recipes, and holiday celebrations fit for the books. She welcomed her children’s friends into the fold, building a house that became a landing spot for anyone who needed it. As her children grew and moved out, she never missed an occasion to celebrate them, and not one day went by in which she did not talk to each one of them on the phone. She is remembered as an incredible mother who would—and did—do anything for her children.

After graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City, Sandy attended beauty school, eventually working for over 60 years as a hairdresser. She memorized her clients’ personal hairstyles, cuts, and colors, and filled their appointments with genuine conversation and laughter—it’s no wonder that many of her clients and coworkers became lifelong friends. For each member of her family, Sandy’s kitchen or back patio became a full-service salon. Up until 2025, nobody in her family had ever utilized another hairdresser, and for good reason: Sandy was the best in the business.

Sandy developed a unique and special relationship with each of her 7 grandchildren, heavily involved in raising each one. She cherished being a grandmother, and effortlessly became a slumber-party host extraordinaire, a cheerleader at all life events, a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a secret keeper, a lunch date, and a thoughtful and spoiling gift-giver. Each grandchild received a handwritten card for every holiday and life event, no matter how small, up until Sandy’s final month of life. She is remembered, without a doubt, as the best grandma that anyone could ask for.

Sandy was an avid gardner, always ensuring her house was surrounded by flowers, plants, a rose garden, and fresh vegetables and fruits. She learned to cook from her mother, her mother-in-law, and her grandma, and fed her family, friends, and neighbors heartily. She read voraciously, and loved to spend an afternoon reading outside with a glass of iced tea. She loved music, particularly rock and roll and disco, dancing, and accompanying her children to concerts—especially to see her favorite, The Rolling Stones. She was creative and artistic, frequently spending weekends crafting with her mother and daughters, and especially enjoyed creating ceramics. She took joy in doing for others. Sandy was the very definition of loyal: she was accepting, generous, and helpful to all who knew her.

She is deeply missed, and deeply loved.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Margie and Nolan Hardcastle; her husband, George D. Savas; her three brothers, Anthony Mora (Camilla), Daniel Hardcastle (Melinda), and Michael Hardcastle (Carol); sister, Heidi Garff; and her beloved son, Tod Aleamoni.

She is survived by her two daughters, Nickole Georgina Monreal and Mishell Georgi Savas, grandchildren Heather Martin, Alexandra Monreal-DeSpain (Austin), Nikolaus Caligiuri, Andrew Monreal, and Sophia Caligiuri; and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Sandy’s family asks that you make a donation to the March of Dimes in Sandy’s name, an organization that Sandy supported for the duration of her life. 

Memorial services will be announced at a later date.