Sandra L. Toana

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Sandi, into eternal life. She was 88 years of age and had endured several years of complications from Pulmonary Fibrosis before passing peacefully, with family present, in the early morning hours of June 5, 2023.

Born Lily Sandra Lane in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 4, 1935, she was known to most as Sandi or Sandra. Her proud parents were John W. Lane and Madge E. (Neighbors) Lane.

Sandi grew up on the east side of town, graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and went on to work for Merchants Association.

Through mutual friends, Sandi was introduced to the love of her life, George M. Toana. They were married on July 29, 1962, and resided on Indy’s east side for several years before moving their family to Speedway in June of 1972.

Sandi was a homemaker and stay-at-home-mother who served as an officer for several years, and eventually as President of the Speedway Parents & Teachers Association. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Oakland Chapter 159.

After a battle with lung cancer took her husband in 1984, Sandi looked for work close to home. She was hired as a secretary at the Speedway Police Department in June of 1985. Thus began a 35-year career serving the Town of Speedway as an administrative assistant to three different Chiefs of Police. She was respected and admired by her co-workers and was said to always have a smile and a kind word for everyone. She so enjoyed her job that she continued working until the age of 85. She loved her close-knit SPD family and took pride in working with them through the years.

Throughout her life, Sandi was a devoted mother who cherished her children and treasured time with her extended family as well as her husband’s family. Many memories were made as they gathered around her dining room table for birthday parties, euchre and scrabble games or to listen as Sandi and her siblings reminisced and shared stories of their younger days. She enjoyed working in her yard and tracing the genealogy of the Lane and Toana families. She was a gracious hostess to all who visited her home, especially family and friends who attended the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400.

Those who knew and loved her will remember Sandi fondly as a strong woman with a sweet and gentle soul. She was preceded in death by her husband, George M. Toana, mother Madge E. (Neighbors) Lane, and father John W. Lane. She is survived by her son Mike W. Toana; her daughter Marina L. Toana; her brother John E. Lane; her sisters Margo E. (Lane) Ames and Deborah J. (Lane) Lepper; as well as many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Sandi’s family would like to thank the incredibly kind and caring staff of Life’s Journey Hospice of Avon who provided exceptional care to her during the past 11 months.

Please join us as we celebrate Sandi’s life. Visitation will be 4 – 8 pm Friday, June 16, and Saturday June 17, 2023, from 12 – 1 pm; funeral service will begin at 1 pm at Flanner Buchanan – Speedway at 2950 N. High School Rd in Indianapolis, followed by burial at Floral Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center for cancer research. Please make checks payable to: IUSCCC/Cancer Research and mail to IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center; PO box 7072; Indianapolis, IN 46207-7072. Indicate “In memory of Sandra Toana” on the memo line. You may also make gifts online at https://give.myiu.org/iupui/I380009873.

Gifts may also be made to the American Lung Association. Please make checks payable to the American Lung Association and indicate “In memory of Sandra Toana” on the memo line and mail to American Lung Association in Indiana, Donation processing center, 12800 Meridian Street, Suite 125, Carmel, IN 46032. You may also donate securely online at https://lung.org/Give.