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Sandra "Sandy" Enesey Shrum

9/14/1950 - 6/1/2026

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Obituary For Sandra "Sandy" Enesey Shrum

Sandy Shrum

Sandy Enesey Shrum, 75, quietly (very out of character) slipped away June 1, 2026, at her home in Virginia Beach after the cancer she had been battling for nearly 2 years finally convinced her to call it quits. Her husband, John, was at her side.

Born Sept. 14 in Detroit, Michigan, to Alex and Margaret Enesey, she was the middle child of a Navy family whose travels included living in California, Michigan and Naples, Italy, before dad retired and the family put down roots in Virginia Beach. Although she graduated from Kellam High School, her fondest memories involved Forrest Sherman High in Naples and her best friend, Becky Daniels, with whom she had recently reconnected.

Sandy graduated from a business school in Virginia Beach and went on to hold a variety of positions from key punch operator and factory worker to secretary and bookkeeper. At the end of her long working career — all the while a very reliable and hard worker — she retired from Avis Budget in Virginia Beach as a clerk.

She met her second husband, John, at Harborfest in Norfolk in 1985 and they married the following year. The Navy then took them and Sandy’s two children to Bremerton, Washington, and San Diego, California, before returning the family to Virginia Beach. The couple eventually bought a home very close to Sandy’s parents, whom she adored.

To say family was important to Sandy is an understatement. They were her everything. She wasn’t just the glue that held her family together. She was the super glue. From the good morning texts and the late-night counsels to the seemingly endless pool parties and to-die-for chicken fingers and potato salad, Gigi never missed an opportunity to support her family whether crisis, celebration or something in between.

Sandy would give you her last dollar if it meant your ship wouldn’t sink without telling you hers was sinking. You could call her with 19 problems and she’d have solutions to 20. From the early days of attending all her son’s little league games with a bag of snacks for the whole team and standing by her daughter through thick and thin, she continued to be there for her grandchildren and their children. Until the time of her passing, she rarely missed a soccer game, recital, move, special event or everyday opportunity to be part of their lives.

Sarcastic. Witty. Opinionated. Competitive. Loving. Firm but fair. Partner in crime. True friend. She was all that rolled into one. Sandy, Grandma and Gigi by day, bingo aficionado and cribbage queen by night, she loved with all her heart and played with all her might. And she played to win. Just ask anyone who has faced her in a game of cribbage.

Sandy was predeceased by her beloved parents, Marge (Makarewicz) and Al Enesey and her brother, Al Jr. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, John Shrum; her loving son Bobby Cronan (Carrie), her grateful daughter, Tammy Patrick, and her pesky kid sister, Stacey Klemenc (John). She is also survived by her only grandson, Caden Cronan, her precious granddaughters, Heather Stanley and Tori Patrick, and her biggest little fans, the great grans: Zeek, Kameron and Otto Stanley; Ripley and Jett Thornton and Alexandria Svrcek (the latter Sandy named to honor her dear old dad),as well as two nieces, two nephews, a great nephew and a host of friends.

A Celebration of Life mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 26, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 712 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach, with inurnment and a reception immediately following.

May all your hands in heaven be 29s, dear sister. Well, maybe not all. You gotta let Dad win sometimes. The same goes with bingo. Mom likes jackpots, too.

Simply Cremation is assisting Sandy’s family during this difficult time. Those who wish to share memories and express condolences may do so at SimplyCremationOnline.com.

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Tributes

  • 5 TREES

    Tidewater 29ers Cribbage Club planted 5 trees in memory of Sandra "Sandy" Enesey Shrum . - 06/17/2026

  • Gracious Lavender Basket

    Heidi Sonnenberg sent Gracious Lavender Basket for Sandra "Sandy" Enesey Shrum - 06/17/2026

    Dear Sandy's family you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We pray for peace, comfort and strength during your loss. Love always Stacey's Virginia Beach Bunko Ladies 🎲

  • 5 TREES

    Stacey’s VB Bunko Girls planted 5 trees in memory of Sandra "Sandy" Enesey Shrum . - 06/17/2026

    Dear Sandy's family you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We pray for peace, comfort and strength during your loss. Love always Stacey's Virginia Beach Bunko Ladies 🎲

  • 5 TREES

    Sue Bonnewell planted 5 trees in memory of Sandra "Sandy" Enesey Shrum . - 06/10/2026

Condolences

  • 06/20/2026

    Anne Marie Lyons

    I am very sorry for your heartbreaking loss, John. She will be so very much missed.

  • 06/17/2026

    Heidi Sonnenberg

    I didn't know Sandy, but I know her sister Stacey, who is in our Bunko group. I know she is hurting very deeply right now in the loss of her sister. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family right now during this time of loss. May peace be over all of you and may the Lord give you all comfort during this difficult time of your life.

  • 06/13/2026

    Becky Daniels

    Sandy had the heart of a true friend. For decades For decades life brought us together, separated us for yeas and then brought us back together again. We never failed to pick up where we left off. We met in Naples Italy while our fathers were stationed there. We were 13 years old. Sandy was an active member in the Catholic Youth Fellowship. We met when the CYF and the Protestant Youth Fellowship were tasked to create a haunted house for the fall festival. Sandy and I co-chaired this project and discovered how much we were alike. When it came time for our fathers to be transferred, we left not knowing if we would ever see each other again. Once back in Va. Beach my father came home from work excited to announce he had seen Sandy's father and had her phone number. Our friendship continued. We joined the Girl service organization at the Navy YMCA in Norfolk. She was a dedicated member and spent most weekends at the dances held there After the dance we would spend the night together at her home or mine. The time spent at her home revealed to me how competitive she was. We spent hours playing cards with her parents and eating Charles Chips out of the yellow can. Many years ago Sandy taught me how to play cribbage. She was a hard ruthless teacher and kept me on my toes. Lately when we played cribbage I asked her if she was ready to let me.! Her reply was always "I don't think so " and we would laugh. She loved playing BINGO but cribbage was her first love. She spoke often about her Cribbage group and looked forward to us going together when "I got good enough"! The last time we played she said I was getting close. Sandy loved her family, was loyal to her friends, dedicated to her cribbage groups and was always there if you needed her. I and everyone who knew will miss her very much. very much

  • 06/12/2026

    Laurie schmitz

    Sandy and I played cribbage at Club and traveled together for years. We laughed and cried over the the years. She will be missed by so many.

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