Sandra Cole McAvoy

Sandra was born on August 11, 1945, in Albion, New York, the daughter of George Henry Cole and Helen Elizabeth Cole. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her former husband, John McAvoy, of Middleport, New York.

Above all else, Sandra loved her family. She is survived by her son, Kevin J. McAvoy, and her daughter, Katherine (McAvoy) Gillespie. Both reside in Chicago with Sandra’s beloved grandson, Owen M. Gillespie (“OMG”), and her son-in-law, Michael S. Gillespie. She is also survived by her sister, Cheryl M. Collegian of Ballston Spa, New York, Cheryl’s husband, and their son and his family.

In Springfield, Sandra’s friends and neighbors became family, and she loved hosting and attending get-togethers at her home. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Andrea Berryman, Julie Hubbard, Marilyn Davison, Lois Wolf, Helyn Siefert, Vicky Pruitt, Susan Hocker and the many others who helped by driving her to and from medical appointments and—just as importantly—lifting her spirits with kindness and companionship.

Sandra graduated from Albion Central High School and the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY Albany). She also pursued graduate work at SUNY Albany; Penn State University (Pittsburgh campus); and Sangamon State University in Springfield (now the University of Illinois Springfield).

Sandra’s career was marked by curiosity, commitment, and service. She taught social sciences and history at the high school level in Albany, New York. She later served with the Illinois Environmental Council, where she supported successful efforts to strengthen dumping penalties for hazardous waste, increase cleanup funding for toxic waste sites, and give local citizens a stronger voice in landfill siting. The Council also secured partial funding for the Rock Island Trail, which contributed to the development of popular hiking and biking trails throughout downstate Illinois.

For the next 30 years, Sandra served in a variety of roles at the Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI), culminating as Senior Vice President of Education and Special Events. In that role, she was responsible for more than 100 programs, serving approximately 6,000 members in more than 200 locations. Her favorite projects included the two-year Midwest School for Community Bankers at Illinois Wesleyan University and the association’s annual convention.

After retirement, she did business development work for - and became a minority owner of -Midwestern Securities Trading Company (MSTC), a broker-dealer located in East Peoria, Illinois.

In retirement, Sandra became an avid (if self-described “not skilled”) golfer and played in leagues and tournaments throughout Central Illinois. Always an adventurer, she loved traveling with family and friends across the United States and around the world—experiences that included scuba diving in Fiji, hiking in Costa Rica, cruises in the Caribbean and the Baltic, and river cruises throughout Europe.

Sandra never lost her desire to help others. She volunteered with the Central Illinois Food Bank until the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently became an AARP advocate, lobbying the Illinois General Assembly on issues such as lowering prescription drug costs, caregiving, and other matters affecting older adults. As a result of that commitment, Sandy was awarded the 2025 Andrus Award for Community Service from the Illinois AARP. She was also an active member of First United Methodist Church in Springfield.

She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and former colleagues.

The family will host services on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at First United Methodist Church of Springfield. Visitation will take place from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.