Sandra L., nee Strauss, Sabin age 77, of O'Fallon, born September 1, 1944 in Trenton, N.J., to Harry H. and Gladys E., nee Croot, Strauss died Saturday, January 1, 2022 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital with her loving daughters by her side.

Sandy as she was known to her family and friends grew up in Trenton, N.J. with her twin brother David Strauss and was a true Jersey girl at heart—never giving up her love of WaWa pretzels, Tasty Kakes, Italian bakeries and the best diners in the world. She was proud that she always had a faint hint of her beloved Jersey accent. After graduating from Steinert High School, she was hired as an Air Force civilian office manager at McGuire AFB where she met Joseph Sabin, a logistics officer and her soon to be husband of 51 years. After a budding romance they tied the knot on September 17, 1966 and had two daughters, Lisa and Michelle.

The happy couple began what would be a long military career. Sandy loved being a military wife where her Jersey girl attitude suited her well as she traveled the world supporting her husband and raising their two daughters.  She lived in Japan, Alabama, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Delaware, Utah, and Illinois. She embraced each assignment with her feisty spirit and dedication where she loved to entertain, volunteer at Thrift Shops, and make life-long friends. Her final assignment was at Scott AFB, Ill. after which she and her family settled in O'Fallon, Ill.

Sandy and Joe enjoyed retirement and were blessed by the birth of their beloved granddaughters Emily and Grace who lovingly called her Bama.  They loved their condo in Sarasota, Fla. where Sandy loved to chill on Nokomis Beach, float in the emerald waters of the bay, eat at Columbia, and bring her two granddaughters every summer.  She was a beach person at heart and loved the ocean and the feel of the sand between her toes.

She and Joe loved to travel on a multitude of trips and especially enjoyed slot machines at casinos throughout St. Louis, Las Vegas, and New Orleans. Sandy also spent a lot of time in the summer by her pool and loved eating at Favazza's on The Hill. Sandy was a voracious reader and gave her O'Fallon Library card a good workout. She never liked e-Readers because she loved the feel of 'real' books—there was nothing better than actually turning the pages, in her opinion. Sandy loved spending time with Lisa and her family in Colorado and on numerous family vacations. She especially treasured the many moments with her beloved granddaughters. Sandy also enjoyed spending time with her faithful travel companion and daughter, Michelle, as they enjoyed cruising and road tripping from Chicago to Chattanooga, Florida to the Bahamas and a lot of places in between.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Betty Strauss, her husband, Joe, who passed away on July 28, 2018 and her sister-in-law Diane Strauss.

Surviving are her twin brother, David Strauss of Princeton, N.J.; daughters Lisa, nee Sabin, Nolte and her husband Eric of Parker, Colo., and Michelle Sabin of O'Fallon Ill.; her two granddaughters Emily, nee Nolte, Albrecht and her husband Bobby of Aurora, Colo. and Grace Nolte of Parker, Colo.; and her bonus great granddaughter Kairi Albrecht of Aurora, Colo. Sandy is also survived by her beloved niece Nicole Strauss of Princeton, N.J., and Nicole's children MacKenzie, Logan and Braeden; brother in law Richard Sabin and his wife Kathy of Niagara Falls, NY; bonus niece Kate Finfrock of Albuquerque, N.M.; and dear friends Khristy, Doug and Shyanne Thompson of Lebanon, Ill. along with many other relatives and friends near and far.  Sandy is also survived by her beloved Stray Rescue dog, Ellie, who adored her Bama and was her loyal companion for nine years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested in her name to Stray Rescue of St. Louis ( strayrescue.org ) or the Fisher House of St. Louis ( fisherhouseinstl.org ).

A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date in the Spring when her family and friends can safely gather.