Susan Hastwell Sands' Obituary
Dr. Susan Sands was born in Brazil on September 13, 1946, to Jean McLelland and Norman Sands, and passed away on March 30, 2025, in Berkeley, California. Her father was a British diplomat, and her birth in South America sparked a lifelong love of global travel. Susan’s father died when she was a young girl, and she and her mother relocated to Evanston, Illinois. She attended Cornell University, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and graduated with a B.A. in English, cum laude, in 1968. She continued on to Yale, where she earned an M.A. in 1969.
Susan promptly put her writing talents to work, seeking a job in journalism. In March 1970 she was one of the original 46 women to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against their employer, accusing Newsweek of gender discrimination in hiring practices, promotions, and its policy of disallowing women to be reporters. It was a historic moment—not only was it the first female class action lawsuit in the United States, but the women won, changing the workplace and paving the way for women to serve as reporters at the weekly magazine. Over the next decade, Susan worked for a variety of news publications, including The Saturday Review, Rags Magazine, and the Contra Costa Times, as well as an on-air reporter for KQED’s Newsroom.
Susan married her first husband, Jack, in 1971, which prompted her move from the East Coast to Berkeley. They amicably divorced in 1981 and remained friends until the end of her life.
In 1981, she earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from UC Berkeley and opened a private practice on Solano Avenue in Albany, where she worked until 2023, specializing in eating disorders and body image. She became a core faculty member at the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California in San Francisco and served in that role for many years. In April of 2022, Susan published her book: The Inside Story: The Surprising Pleasures of Living in an Aging Body.
Around 1986 Susan met Fred Schlachter via a classified ad in the Bay Guardian (this was before the internet dating!), whom she married on May 21, 1990. In September 1991, Susan and Fred welcomed a newborn son into their lives via adoption. Daniel was the light of Susan’s life—she never passed up an opportunity to brag about her “Dan Boy” and in 2012, welcomed her future daughter-in-law Jessica into the family with open arms.
Susan and Fred delighted in traveling the world; a typical year for them included multiple international and domestic trips. They didn’t let the arrival of their son slow them down either—Susan loved to tell stories of toddler Dan sneaking off to splash in a fountain at a historic French château or climbing under the table at a restaurant in China to grab the ankles of unsuspecting diners. Susan’s favorite destinations included Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana where she was able to see the big cats on safari; France, where she immersed herself in art and food; and Cape Cod, where she took an annual trip with a group of friends.
Susan loved singing and joined the Voci Women’s Ensemble in 1993, remaining a member until 2023. She also served on the board of directors for several years, including six years as president.
Susan is predeceased by her parents, Norman and Jean Sands.
She is survived by her husband Fred of 35 years; her son Dan and daughter-in-law Jessica; and her stepson Michael and step-daughter-in-law Lindsey. She is also survived by her cousins Susan (affectionately called Weasel) in Switzerland, Charley in Seattle, and Candy in Illinois, along with numerous beloved in-laws. Susan leaves behind many dear friends and two faithful pets: Willi the German Shepherd and Minnow the cat.
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