January 17, 1944 – February 04, 2024
Sandra Lee (Embersics) Valodine passed away peacefully on February 04, 2024, at the age of 80. Up until the end Sandy maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, and tremendous love of family and friends.

Sandy was an avid gardener and enjoyed baking, especially for the holidays. The best place to find her was amongst her many flower gardens as she was so proud to show them to family, neighbors and friends. During the summer months, she would relax on the back deck overlooking the yard listening to the birds sing while she had a fresh cup of coffee in her hands. When she was not out in the yard tending to her flowers, she could be found in the kitchen baking up some holiday cookies and treats to share with family and friends.

Sandy was a wonderful person who appreciated all that life gave her. Even in her diminished state near the end of her life, she tried to be positive and cheerful. Until she lost the ability to talk, Sandy would express how grateful she was to have lived a long life full of wonderful experiences as well as a loving family, many good friends and compassionate care givers.

“Rest now Mom, we love you!”

Sandy is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Kathryn Embersics.

She is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Pierre. Loving mother of Jeffery (Cindy) Valodine, Renee (Todd) Bielawa, Nicole (Andy) Burant and Jean-Paul Valodine. Dear Grandmother of Rachel (Mitch) Boyd, Jeffery Jr. (Michelle) Valodine, Jacob (Cortney) Higgins, Kyle Higgins, Jack Bielawa, Lexi Bielawa, Samantha (Ty) Facen, and Sean Burant. She was a proud great-grandma too. She is further survived by her sisters, Kathleen Pospisil, Barbara Shafer and brother Jim (Jackie) Embersics.

Services for Sandy will be held at a future date. Please see www.informedchoice.org for updated information.
In lieu of flowers, or the planting of a tree, you are invited to make a donation in Sandy’s name to Children’s Hospital as she always had a deep love for children, especially her own.

God’s Garden
God looked around his Garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. He saw the road was getting rough, and the hills were hard to climb, so he closed your weary eyelids, and whispered “Peace be thine.” It broke out hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone, for part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Footprints in the Sand Prayer
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,” You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you.”
– Mary Stevenson