The sun has set on a beautiful smile and loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. On Friday, November 1, 2024 (All Saints Day) Sandra “Sandy” J. Wilson (nee Santilli) 81, of Kenmore passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Pleasantview Health Care Center. She was born March 4, 1943 in Akron, Ohio to the late Leo and Evelyn (nee Roach) Santilli. She was a life resident of Kenmore and graduated from Kenmore High School Class of 1961.
Sandy retired from Akron General Medical Center after 38 years’ service as a nursing assistant and a transporter. She was a life member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where in her active days was involved with the parish activities and hospitality committees. She looked forward to helping with the church festival every year. Sandy was a member of the Barberton Kiwanis Noon Club for many years and always enjoyed serving pancakes during the annual pancake breakfast during the Labor Day parade. She loved working in the kitchen at St. Augustine’s school when her oldest grandson attended the school. Spending grandparents’ day with the kids was something special for her.
Sandy was a feisty Italian/Irish dago who always gave you plenty to laugh about. You could always count on getting a “behave yourself” or the “bird” during a visit with her. She was known by her grandkids as “MawMaw the Monkey” as she had a large collection of monkeys that started with a Christmas gift one year. She enjoyed bowling, playing cards, going to casino’s, the Buckeye’s, Browns, Cavs and the Indians (Guardians). She also enjoyed going to see one of her favorite singers Larry Altop perform at shows and listening to Kenny Rogers. Whitehouse chicken and Butterscotch cake were among her favorite foods. Her biggest joy of all was watching her grandkids play baseball.
She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband, Charles “Red”; son, James; brother, Robert Santilli; sister-in-law, Ann Wilhite and Mike Wotring. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, daughter, Lisa; son, Charles (Christie); grandsons, Christopher, Joshua (Ashlynn), Zachary, Benny and Emma; niece, Laura Santilli and great niece, Amelia; special friends and family, Linda Wotring, Gina Stump, Brandon Stump, Michelle Powell, Walt and Denise Grimes, Bill and Janet Vonstein, Bobby (Autumn) Vonstein and Chris (Rob) McMahon and their kids, Bryant, Makayla, Hanna, Malaki, Niquelia, Gary Garner, Don Pucak plus many other family and friends.
The family wishes to thank Pleasantview Health Care, especially her favorite nurses, Stephanie, Sister and Cathy plus her physical therapist, Jack and Crossroads Hospice for the wonderful and loving care provided.
Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, November 7, 2024 at the Schlup-Pucak & Wilson Funeral Home, 788 Kenmore Blvd, Akron. Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, November 8, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2101 17th St SW Akron with Fr. David Majikas officiating. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. For those that wish, memorial contributions in Sandy’s name can be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.