Sarah Sprandel

Sarah ‘Sally' Sprandel nee Simpson Passed away December 18, 2010 Beloved wife of Ralph Sprandel. Loving mother of Tim (Kim) Sprandel, Claire (Mike) Winter, and Peter (Kathleen) Sprandel. Cherished grandmother of Christina Winter, Elizabeth Winter, Thomas Winter, Katherine Winter, Samuel Winter, Sarah Sprandel, Rachel Sprandel, Grace Sprandel, Katherine Sprandel, and Joseph Sprandel. Dear sister of the late Susan (Ed) Sprandel, and Tim (Diane) Simpson. Fond aunt of many. Sally was active with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Women's Association for many years. Visitation Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until time of service 11:00 A.M. at St. Bride's Episcopal Church, 1000 West Route 64, Oregon, Illinois. Interment following the service at St. Bride's Episcopal Church Cemetery. A memorial service will be scheduled for January 2011 to be held at Christ Church of River Forest, Illinois. In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the Cardinal Bernadine Cancer Center at Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, Illinois 60153, Attention: Margaret La Fleur Building 106 Office 2564; Check to L.U.M.C. Memo Cardinal Bernadine Cancer research Center. Donations may also be given to Kantorei - the Singing Boys of Rockford, 415 North Church, Rockford, Illinois 61103. Donations may also be given to St. Bride's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 223, Oregon, Illinois 61061. Donations may also be given to Christ Church, 515 Franklin Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305. For information please call (847) 678-1950. www.sax-tiedemann.com The following is a letter Sarah dictated to her grandaughter: Recently, I was reviewing some old papers and came across a letter of thanks from our dear Father Gracia to my parents. It began "My cup runneth over." How strange, I thought, these are the words that have been running through my mind as I traverse this final road. So much to be grateful for. MY RALPH, my love and life's companion. MY CHILDREN AND FAMILY. My special three. All those ten who made me the happiest Grammy in the whole wide world. Nieces and Nephews extraordinaire. Included in the family also: Joe and German granddaughter Nina. MY CHURCH. Father Mac once said, we don't guarantee to be the only way to get you to heaven, just the most beautiful way. We treasure the warm welcome at St. Bride's Church. SO MANY FRIENDS: Peggy, Shirley, Marilyn, friends and bridesmaids all, from the moment we met at Oak Park High School until today. The bridge club. Sixty years and more of monthly gabfests and bridge games. We took ourselves all through our lives together. Harriet, a true friend. It was fun to be one of her Harry's women. Judy Ann - a spiritual bulwark. Harold and Carol, a very long-standing and treasured friendship. When he needed me, I could work for him in his office. Otherwise, we just went out and had fun. Peter called us Yahoos. So many wonderful nights and afternoons at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with family and dear friends, enjoying the finest of classical music, and educational and fun experiences as a member of the Women's Association of the symphony, now the League. Granddaughters Christina and Elizabeth even helped there for Symphonython. They were great times together. It's been wonderful to be a Kantorei grandmother. So much fun with Thomas and Samuel and loving to hear the beautiful music they make and dance recitals with granddaughters starring. The gift of being able to lose myself in the wonders of Bach at my piano. Ralph and I had so many great travel experiences with our children, grandchildren, and lately, by ourselves. The glory of Vashon with family and Joe. Getting that special car was a real blessing. Just imagine cruising the Austrian Alps with the top down on our convertible. We love the mountains and lakes of Austria, to just get lost in their beauty. The good times we've had with Peter's children, girls coming one after another, and at last Joseph Henry. Remember that wonderful southern breakfast at Mondell's to celebrate his baptism, fried chicken included. The privilege of caring for my mother and my mother-in-law at their endings, two wonderful ladies who deserved the very best. All the good Professionals who serve the Lord and their fellow man daily at the Cardinal Bernadine Cancer Center. My care has been wonderful. A special thanks to Dr. Ellen Gaynor and Dr. Kenneth Micetich, two very special physicians. Now, most of all, I am grateful for the gift of life itself and would hope that all those whom I love so much will experience the same joy and happiness that I have had in my lifetime. May their cups be filled to running over with goodness and mercy all the days of their lives. Sally Sprandel December 8, 2010