Lunch with Sandy
I’ve known Sandy Martinez-Pino for some 35 years. While covering boxing for the Albuquerque Journal, I came to rely on Sandy — a devoted steward of the sport on many different levels — for her knowledge, expertise and counsel. Sandy, suffering from heart problems, died on Sept. 28 at age 65. Her funeral service today (Oct. 10) at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church was attended by family, friends, Albuquerque Police Department co-workers and people from the boxing community. I talked with Sandy frequently over the years, exchanging information and opinions. Usually, we talked on the phone, or at events that she was working and I was covering. Occasionally, though, we’d meet for lunch. The last time we’d done lunch was about a year ago at a West Side Italian restaurant. That day, I arrived before her, and — as I got out of my car — realized I had no money. I’d left home without my money clip. “Sandy, I’m sorry,” I said when she arrived, “but I’m broke.” Of course, she said, “No probl