Sandra Lynn Rushing, age 76, passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family and many friends, on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 due to complications from her valiant battle with cancer. Sandi was born May 26, 1938 in Kirksville, Missouri, the oldest of three children, to Harold and Catherine Wigal. She spent her youth in Princeton, IL and Kirksville, MO graduating from Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College, where she majored in Elementary Education.
Following college, Sandi relocated to Southern California to teach kindergarten, where she soon met the love of her life, John. Their romance, which began with a blind date in early November, rapidly blossomed and she and John were married five weeks later, on December 8, 1962. Their union was blessed with four sons, eighteen grandchildren and nearly 52 years of wedded bliss.
Though she took an extended sabbatical from teaching to raise her young sons in West Covina, Sandi remained involved in numerous school activities, clubs and service organizations. After retiring from teaching in 2001, Sandi and John moved to Sun Lakes in Banning, California, where she quickly filled her plate with volunteer activities serving the poor, hungry and needy in her community, as well as employing her talents in the Sun Lakes Chorale.
Sandi’s persona was reflected in her smile: radiant in its beauty. She was warm, generous and thoughtful, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and always the greatest cheerleader and advocate for her family. Her optimism, energy and unconditional love served as the foundation for them. They were her greatest treasure on earth, and she was treasured and loved by them in return. To her final days, she demonstrated her concern and care for John, her sons and all of her grandchildren. The various close friendships she has sustained through the decades and across the country are a testament to her loyalty and care she has shared so freely with others.
Sandi is survived by her loving husband, John; their four sons, John ‘Trey’ (Kelly) Rushing of Dayton, OH, Jeff (Shannon) Rushing of Kirksville, MO, Joel (Courtney) Rushing of La Verne, CA, and Jerry (Kristine) Rushing of Ann Arbor, MI; 18 grandchildren, her sister, Sheri (Terry) Povendo of St. Louis, MO, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Dennis Dean Wigal.
A memorial service will be held at Beaumont Presbyterian Church, 702 Euclid Ave, on Sunday, August 17 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice, Table of Plenty, or Beaumont Presbyterian Church.
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