Sandra Lee Tate's Obituary
Sandra Lee Tate, 81, passed away early Monday morning, June 19, 2023. She was born March 21, 1942, in Muskegon to Francis and Violet (Johnson) Janes. She is survived by her sisters, Pamela Patterson and Linda Copeland, daughters, Tammy (Robert) Ruiter, Shelly Ellingboe and Tracy (Monty) Wehr. She has six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Sandy was preceded in death by her life partner, Jack Flanders and grandson, Jacob Ruiter.
Sandy was many things in her life and easily made close friends along the way. She was an adventurer and world traveler, visiting the pyramids in Egypt, ruins in Pompeii, castles along the Rhine, shrines in Thailand, arctic glaciers in Alaska and sampled chocolate in Belgium where she lived for a period of her life. When living in Muskegon, Sandy became a docent for the Hume Home where she gave tours and hosted events. Over the course of her life, she also lived in many other cities where she embraced the local history and culture, eventually settling in Arizona. There she was a member of an archeological society, hosted dig sites and became affectionately known as a “rock hound.” She immersed herself in the Native American way and was invited to visit reservations. She became a tutor through her local church and opened her heart to many young readers.
After spending her professional career working in many hospitals as a cardiology technician and respiratory therapist, she became a student again and went on to earn a degree in nursing while in her fifties.
Sandy’s family, friends, and animal companions were dear to her. She lived a full life and will be forever remembered and loved.
A visitation will begin at 1:00 PM Thursday, June 22, 2023, and immediately following at 2:00 there will be a service to celebrate Sandy’s life at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Home located at 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. Her daughters will welcome friends and family for a time of fellowship following the service at Wildwood Springs Clubhouse located at 17835 Wildwood Springs Pkwy., Spring Lake, MI 49456.
Contributions in memory of Sandra Tate can be made to Gentiva Hospice or Cleveland Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
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