Sandra Emdin

Sandy was born in the town of Woodsfield, Ohio on September 16, 1946 to Virginia and Francis Ackerman. Perhaps, this small town is where she got her friendly nature as it was the type of town where everyone knew each other by name. She had two sisters, Kay and Marlene, and a brother, Fred. After graduating from high school, Sandy made her way to Columbus, Ohio, where the adventure truly began. One evening a man, Lionel Michael Emdin, who lived in her apartment building came over to borrow some sugar, and the rest was history with their romance and adventure beginning when they were married on June 15, 1968.

With Mike being in the military, they traveled to many places far from her little town of Woodsfield, Ohio, but everywhere they lived she made it home. The adventure did not stop with just exciting stations of service for Mike and Sandy. They also started a family through their love for one another. A daughter, Michele and two sons, Michael and William, would make their family of two into a family of five. Oh! What a family it was! The Emdin family lived a life full of love and lasting memories made together through travel and vacations like Power Dam in New York, Disney World and the list goes on and on. They were amazing parents that were always there to root on the kids through whatever sport or activities. They were always supportive and taught them that they could achieve whatever they wanted. Mike provided for his family and Sandy was able to be home for their three children. Even though her stature was small, her spirit, heart and personality were big. Sandy was extremely strong as the mother and wife in the family making sure that no one went without. Mike had tours in Vietnam and other instances where his duty called him away from his family, but it was Sandy who stayed back and manned the fort.

Sandy never acknowledged how strong of a woman she was, but those of us close to her saw this daily when she cared for her son, Michael, after an accident that landed him in a wheelchair. Even though she took over the task of caring for Michael, she always found time for her other children and at that point, 5 adorable grandsons...Zachary, Ryan, and Ethan from her daughter, Michele, and Owen and Oliver from her son, William and wife Melissa. Sandy was strong for us all, even when life threw her the most challenging obstacles. Any one that knew Sandy can speak to her resilience and strength. Sandy always put the needs of others ahead of herself, except for the occasional casino run which she always enjoyed, even though she always lost.

After her son, Michael passed, Sandy spent her last years in a retirement community in Aurora, CO, where she made new-found friends and was close to Michele and Will and her grandsons, and was able to be a part of their lives from soccer and football games to even college graduations. Sandy became ill over the summer and was in and out of the hospital and rehab facilities starting in August 2020. Continuous health obstacles eventually were too much for her body and she was ready to join her husband and son in heaven on November 12, 2020. We find comfort knowing that her husband and son were there to greet her with loving arms. Her body was merely a vessel in this world, but her love lives on in the hearts of those who had the wonderful privilege of knowing her. Much love, mom!