Our dear mom, Sandra (Sandi) Kay Titus, sadly passed away on January 18, 2025, at the age of 79. She was born August 25, 1945. She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her, offering motherly advice and unconditional love in abundance. Sandi resided in Galesburg, IL for most of her life. She was predeceased by her father Ralph Shepherd, mother Wanda Fitzsimmons, sister and best friend Rosemary Retter, brother David Fitzsimmons, and her son Bruce “Ritchie” Titus. Sandi suffered a deep loss of twin boys, Randall and Ronald, who were stillborn in 1964. She leaves behind daughters Tina Sosa (Carlos), Susan Hopping (Harry), and Margie Titus (Charles), sisters Cathy Rains from Quincy, IL, Shirley Dietrich from Pekin, IL, and brother Bill Shepherd from Oklahoma. Sandi was blessed with grandchildren, step-grandchildren, multiple great and great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Sandi received her GED later in life and earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license in 1978 from Carl Sandburg Community College. She was a very hard worker during her life. She worked several years at Butler Manufacturing as one of the first women hired to work in the factory and later transferred to the front office to work as an administrative assistant. Sandi then worked as a CNA at the Marigold Nursing Home and later became an Occupational Therapist Aide. Throughout Sandi’s life, she was a natural and dedicated caregiver, always putting others before herself. While working at Marigold, her incredibly natural gift of caregiving and helping others truly shined through.
Sandi loved to laugh; she easily made everyone around her laugh without even trying; she had such an awesome sense of humor! She got enjoyment from spending time with her family, visiting the beaches and lighthouses in the Carolinas, being around animals, watching true crime programs on TV, reading, doing word searches, and listening and dancing to an expansive range of music – from the oldies, disco, classic rock – to Vivaldi and Beethoven. Sandi was a former member of Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem Bethel Shrine #27, Galesburg Chapter.
Mom struggled with diminishing memory for the past four years; and she ultimately passed peacefully surrounded by her loved ones due to complications from dementia Alzheimer’s at Memory Lane, Seminary Manor in Galesburg, IL. To commemorate Sandi and the love, kindness, and generosity that she gave to us all, a celebration of life will be held in her honor at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory on Wednesday January 22, 2025 from 4-6 p.m. We invite all who knew her to join us in remembering a truly sweet and wonderful woman. Memorial contributions may be directed the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of the donor’s choosing. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
