Sandra "Sandee" J. Kelley

77, passed away peacefully Tuesday night. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Goldie Kelley, who preceded her in death, and sister of Bernice, Harold, Mary and Jack, who also preceded her in death.

Sandee was a long time educator at Indianapolis Public School 39 until retiring in 1998. Through the years many of her students complimented and thanked her for having a positive impact on their lives.

She was a proofreader at The Southsider Voice, which is owned by her great-niece Kelly (Collins) Sawyers. It was always funny at the office when she challenged Editor Scott Mohr over grammatical issues on press day. She gifted him a T-shirt that said: “Grammar Police: Here to Serve and Protect.”

Even though she was surrounded by many Donald Trump supporters, she stood her ground by saying he was a tyrant. She was a strong-willed Democrat and was proud of it. She enjoyed working at the polls at each election.

She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa since 1976 and enjoyed it immensely and adored her many friends. She enjoyed their trips to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. She also was a member of the Honorary Teacher’s Association.

Her passion was being “Aunt Sandee” to so many people. She loved reading mystery books, watching “Wheel of Fortune,” “Jeopardy,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “Big Brother” and texting Kelly during the shows.

She graduated from Manual High School in 1957 and loved the time she spent on the yearbook staff. She furthered her education at Butler University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, respectively.

Sandee loved researching her Irish heritage, lighthouses, turquoise jewelry, flower gardening, scrapbooking and shopping for the perfect gifts for her loved ones. She had a heart of gold and was her happiest when helping others.

She is survived by her nieces, Carolyn (Robert) Collins and Becky Huffman; nephew George (Sandra) Kelley; great-niece Kelly (Brett) Sawyers; great-nephew Sean (Tammy) Collins; other great-nephews and nieces are Austin (Bethany) Smith, Alex (Maria) Smith, AJ Smith, Nathan and Brenna Collins and Ben and Erika Kelley.

The love of her life and companion was Daisy, her boxer. Special friends that were dear to her heart and loved like family are Marti (Jon) Wittig, Monte, Mark, Brandon and Bryon Blackburn, Corinn (Caleb) Gove, Cason (Colleen) Wittig and their children Cashel, Acacia and Blaise.

A special thank you goes to her caregivers at ManorCare Health Services, dear friends Monte, Mark and Bryon Blackburn, Donna Winter, Becky Franklin and Pam Howard for helping the family with her care while trying to rehabilitate from her illnesses.

Calling will be from 10 a.m.-noon Friday at Little & Sons Funeral Homes, 1301 Main St., Beech Grove, 46107, where a service will follow.

She will be laid to rest in Washington Park Cemetery next to her sister Mary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Manual High School scholarship fund for a journalism student. (In care of the Southsider Voice 6025 Madison Ave. Suite B, Indianapolis IN 46227

www.littleandsonsbeechgrove.com

,