Obituaries

Valerie Ott from Bartlett , IL

"Aunt Sandy is a bright and shining star. She is thoughtful beyond words. She always makes everyone smile and puts everyone at ease. I remember the homemade thoughtful gifts (cabbage patch dolls I still have and a Purple Heart with my name on it and tinsel hanging from it for my bedroom) that she made for me as a child. I always looked up to her when I was growing up. I wanted to be just like her. I remember going for car rides with her in her Burgundy Oldsmobile Cutlass. I felt so cool driving around with her. I remember people sometimes thinking she could be my mom or sister, and I giggled when they said mom because she was only 16 years older than me. I remember her braiding my hair in a fishtail. I remember her shaggy red carpet in her childhood bedroom and loved seeing her beautiful home in a majestic neighborhood of Saint Charles.I remember how she was there for every important event - every graduation, wedding, baby shower. And, I loved all her heartfelt texts wishing my husband and me a happy birthdays.I remember her doing a reading at our wedding ten years ago and the heartfelt eulogy she gave at grandma’s funeral. She is truly the epitome of grace under pressure.I remember how she didn’t flinch when my crazy 5 year old ran around her house and played with Brian’s dog, Sable, while she wasn’t feeling well.One of my most favorite memories was singing with her Barbara Streisand’s - Papa, Can you hear me? We’d sing it together and laugh and laugh. I know she is with her Papa, Momma, and Brother Michael in bliss and peace in heaven.I asked her what her favorite song was recently and she told me Bob Seger’s Like a Rock. I’ve been listening to it a lot lately. She certainly is like a rock. Her spirit is strong and a part of all who knew her.I look back on so many of these memories I cherish and just smile.I have no words that can truly explain or describe the loss of her no longer being here with us in the physical word. But I do know heaven gained an amazing angel."