Skip to main content
A woman stands smiling at an event.

GDB is honored to remember longtime GDB volunteer, donor, and Legacy Society member, Sandra “Sandy” Lee Hontalas. During her lifetime, Sandy was a fixture at GDB events, where she delighted in meeting puppies, dogs, and clients. She served as a member of GDB’s Holiday Luncheon Committee for nearly a decade, helping to shape the event, introduce her friends to GDB, and raise funds to support our life-changing mission. 

Phil Spalding, former GDB board chair, and Sandy’s dear friend and estate attorney, recalls her fondly. “She and my wife De Ann went to the Holiday Luncheon for years and years together. She loved seeing the puppies and hearing the personal stories of GDB clients,” he says.  

In her later years, Sandy enjoyed being honored as a Legacy Society member at GDB’s Legacy luncheons after she named GDB in her estate plans. Having no immediate family after her husband Constantine Louis “Gus” Hontalas passed away, she wanted to ensure her estate would go to a reputable charity that was changing lives. “That organization was GDB,” says Phil. 

Sandy was born in San Francisco and spent most of her life in California. She was a dancer and ice skater in her youth and played tennis most of her life.  She married her high school sweetheart, Constantine Louis “Gus” Hontalas after they both graduated from San Francisco State. The two were avid hikers and travelers and enjoyed spending time at their second home in Tahoe City, California. They also lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, after Gus retired. Sandy, quite the athlete, took up golf and immediately became very good at it.

Phil and De Ann met Sandy and Gus after they lived in the same building in San Francisco. The four quickly hit it off, taking day hikes to Mount Tamalpais and in the Lake Tahoe area. “We did a lot of day hikes around Donner Summit and Sandy was always in front walking at a quick pace,” recalls Phil. “I often asked her to stop and identify wildflowers or various points of interest so the rest of us could catch up,” recalls Phil chuckling.  

Sandy passed away in July of 2023, and her generosity will be felt at GDB for generations. Her legacy gift was the largest single gift ever made to GDB. "Sandy's incredible gift will help ensure that future generations of GDB clients can experience our life-changing programs," says Christine Benninger, GDB's president and CEO.  Tom Horton, GDB’s international director of Planned Giving, says GDB is forever grateful for Sandy’s contributions through the years and for her generous estate gift. “Her extraordinary gift will help fund many future guide dog teams in the years to come.”  

Click here to learn more about GDB's Legacy Society program

Click here to learn how you can volunteer to make an impact.

Categories: Legacy Society, Donor Profile, GDB Volunteers