Sandra Witt

Sandra Witt, 81, of Sun City, Arizona passed away peacefully on October 19th with her husband and son by her side. She was born to the late Richard and Alda Madison on November 22, 1938 in Hinsdale, Illinois. Sandy graduated from Hinsdale Township High School in 1956 and received a BS in Biology from North Park College in 1960. She married David Witt that same year. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in August. They lived and worked in Waukegan, Illinois for over 40 years, moving to the Phoenix area in 2002 . Sandy is survived by her husband David, her son David II and his wife Alison, her two grandsons, Josiah (Kayla) and Micah and her great-granddaughter Vivienne, as well as two foster daughters, Charlotte and Carolyn. Sandy’s Christian faith was the center and bedrock of her life. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Waukegan, Illinois. She was passionate about mentoring and encouraging youth which came out in her work as a teacher and her long-time volunteer work as a youth group leader. Sandy loved to both learn and teach. She impacted many people's lives through the Bible studies she led and participated in over several decades. She expressed her love for music through singing in the choir, playing the piano, and playing in the handbell choir. As a member of Palm West Community Church in Sun City West, Arizona, she was an enthusiastic member of the missions committee and loved to support missionaries around the world. Her creative side also came out through the dramas that she wrote and participated in for her church community. The trajectory of her life was dramatically shifted when she suffered a major stroke in 1982. Her tenacious ability to overcome the adversity of the lasting effects of this event shaped the beautiful way she lovingly came alongside others who were experiencing challenge and suffering. Her commitment to embrace the best of life in the face of challenge was inspirational to all who knew her. She was the ‘Queen of Cards’, designing and sending notes to shut-ins and those in need of encouragement around the world. She was a wonderfully engaged grandmother, always finding ways to join in with whatever the latest interests of her grandkids might be and helping them sneak off for treats like the famous Big Ben Brownies. A self-proclaimed “open face sandwich”, Sandy’s forthright ability to engage everyone she met endeared her to a vast array of friends. She will be deeply missed by her family, and all who knew her.