Sandra J Buffington

Sandra Jean Buffington, 76, of Machesney Park, passed away on Thursday, October 30, at Swedish American Hospital following a valiant battle with Stage IV breast cancer. The daughter of the late Richard B. (Margaret) Atchison and the late Jane (Hart) Atchison, Sandra was born on May 15, 1938 in Rockford, Illinois.

Upon graduation from East High School, she went to work at the historic Midway Theater, where she subsequently met her future husband. She married Albert Buffington on August 9, 1958. She worked at Barber-Colman Company for many years until her retirement in 2000.

Favorite hobbies throughout her lifetime included bowling and golfing and especially the annual family golf outing known as "The Bu-Bu-Do Classic", which ran for 25 years. She enjoyed sharing daily crossword puzzles with her husband, shopping with her daughters, her weekly hair appointments with her long-time (53 years) beautician, Sharon, and monthly get togethers with the "Potluck Group" which started more than 50 years ago with long-time best friends Lee Lee, Lou Lou, Donna, Jane and Betty (and others who have previously passed).

She leaves behind her adoring husband of 56 years, Albert; her daughters, Carrie Reinhold (Greg Bannister), Suzan (Jim) Milburn, and Laura (Paul) Seitz; five grandchildren, Melissa (Peter) Dunn, Mark Northrup, Jr., Nichole Northrup, Dylann Waters and Nicolas Seitz; four great grandchildren, Ashley Dunn, Abigail Dunn, Ayden Northrup and Melanie Schewe; four grandpaws, Chloe, Captain Jack, Bailey and Dixie; two brothers, James W. (Ginger) Atchison and John W. (Debra) Atchison; two sisters-in-law, Janet Adams and Ruth Buffington; one brother-in-law, Earl "Lefty" Buffington; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Pre-deceased by her parents, brother, Richard; mother-in-law, Catherine "Alberta"; father-in-law, Earl; sister-in-law, Jill; brother-in-law, Bob "RW"; and grandpaws, Mackie, Amber and Ebony.

Memorial service 2 p.m. Friday, November 7, at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Road; Pastor Wendell Maynard officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service. Online condolences may be submitted at sunsetfhmemgardens.com