Spotlight on Members

Sandee was born in Long Beach, California. Her parents were involved in Christian ministry and she and her family moved many times during her childhood as her father accepted the responsibility of new congregations. She is one of four siblings.

During her junior and senior high school years the family lived in Palmdale, California. Sandee was a go-getter personality and right after graduation, she embarked on the world of business. Working hard to improve her secretarial skills, she eventually accepted a position with a public record information firm and was employed there for many years as the Receptionist Administration Assistant. During her early years of employment, she married at the age of twenty-one.

Although she found herself to be in an abusive relationship, she remained married for nine years, at which time the union was finally terminated. She lived for a number of years in a very small condo in Los Angeles County. The size of her home did not allow for large scale plants, so she began beautifying her space with pictures and cushions and accessories embellished with roses. Her heart dreamed of a day when she could have her own real home and garden where she could raise the roses she so dearly loved.

Tom also married at the age of twenty-one. He remained married for sixteen years, and was blessed with the birth of twins. His daughter, Crystal, presented him with a wonderfully beautiful granddaughter. This Little Miss is the apple of Tom's eye. Her name is Rochelle and she is now three years old. His son, Thomas, is graduating this year from UCR's school of business. Tom is very proud of his family.

Tom and Sandee met at work and began developing a close friendship that would one day blossom into a deep and committed love relationship. When they began shopping for their future home their attention was directed to Riverside and its assets of vintage housing stock.

The Agunas purchased their Victorian era house in 2001. They began the arduous labor of love that was required to transform it from a partially restored project into the elegant and tastefully appointed home that is today. Their home is located in the Heritage Square Historic District of downtown Riverside and was the site of celebrating their wedding with a joyous and gorgeously appointed reception in their backyard.

Tom and Sandee are new members to the Riverside Rose Society, but they have been helpers on the sidelines of our events on several occasions. They graciously entertained our members for dessert when their neighbors, David and Lee Stevens, hosted our annual Christmas party a few years ago. Sandee helped Lee and Ginger with the decorations for our Rose Show last June.

This vibrant couple is actively involved in many things. They are members of the Old Riverside Foundation, and participate annually in the foundation's Victorian progressive dinner entitled, Twelfth Night. They are avid enthusiasts of sailing and Tom is working on earning his Captain's license. They enjoy buying and selling antiques and the never truly ending task of restoring their vintage home. Now that Tom and Sandee have their once dreamed of garden, they are constantly researching and finding just the right roses to purchase that will highlight the beauty of their home. These activities are all the more enjoyable because they passionately pursue them and because they pursue them together.