Sandra Jean Dietrich

The world gained a lot during Sandi Dietrich’s reign of compassion, lasting exactly two weeks shy of 82 years. By the time she passed peacefully in her sleep on January 5, Sandi had shared enough laughs, career triumphs, lifelong friendships and bonds with family and pets to warn biographers: You’re going to need a bigger page.

Sandi was the friend and confidante to everyone. She was the one listening, without judgment, to the neighboring plane passenger sharing his troubles. By flight’s end the passenger had gained a trusted compadre for life.

Sandi was the aunt/friend you called, texted or emailed when you had news about anything from politics or weather to a new job or the latest catfish haul.

Sandi was the shopper in the supermarket whose sheepish giggle and request were all a stranger needed to gladly help her locate ingredients for her much-anticipated Rodney dip.

Sandi was the friend who attended minor league baseball games, not because she was a diehard baseball fan but because she was a diehard chum. The value for her was in the shared experience not the game’s outcome.

Sandi was the friend you watched NFL games with, either in the same living room or across the miles via text each time her beloved native New England Patriots scored. That’s a lot of texts.

Sandi was the friend whose spirituality shined brightest at Sunday church classes and her regular dream discussion groups. Here she built some of her strongest friendships.

But her BEST, BEST friend was her twin sister Sue with whom she shared an amazing lifelong bond. Mornings were not official until Sue called Sandi or vice versa. The two shared long-distance coffee, bird updates and the latest family news. Such calls were often interrupted by other family members calling for the same reason.

A strong believer in the afterlife, angels and heaven, Sandi wants us to know she has successfully reunited with Nelson Guthrie, her soul mate of 19 years. They have a lot of catching up to do.

Sandi’s roots began in New England and stretched to Mississippi where she lived the last half century.

Born on Jan. 19, 1943 to Rudolph and Esther “Dolly” Dietrich, Sandi grew up in Methuen. She graduated from Tenney High School in 1961 followed by her registered nursing degree from Lawrence General School of Nursing three years later.

Sandi’s work with Dr. Nina Scarito, OB/GYN influenced her to become a Midwife. After four years of midwifery schooling in New York, Sandi relocated to the Jackson, MS area to help set up clinics.

Where do babies come from? If you lived in Mississippi in the 70’s and 80’s, your answer was: Sandi Dietrich. She delivered more than a thousand youngsters.

Sandi held key positions at the University of MS Medical Center for 14 years before she went on to establish her own practice, while also serving as part-time clinician at the MS State Dept. of Health.

After Nelson’s unexpected death in 1991, Sandi took the reins at Training & Development Inc., which served the pulp, plastics, electronics and health care industries.

Sandi changed careers again when her growing interest in holistic healing guided her to the Barbara Brennan School of Healing where she graduated in 1998. The following year she earned her certificate in Rapid Eye Technology – a holistic therapy that she used successfully on hundreds of clients wracked with trauma.

Armed with a voracious appetite for learning, Sandi would become a Reiki Master Teacher, then learn, adapt and employ other holistic healing methods in her own life and others. Countless people owe their fixing to Sandi’s life-changing healing.

Her simple pleasures included Kitty who adopted Sandi out of a field of millions; daily visits from birds appreciative of homemade suet; and dreams of the next family visit.

Sandi is pre-deceased by her partner Nelson and older sister Marti Dietrich. She is survived by her sister Susan Whipple; niece Linda Reynolds and her family; nephews Steve and Bruce Whipple and their families; “adopted nephew” Vinnie Patel and his family; cousins and special friend Don Medley.

A private service will be held at a later date at Methuen’s Walnut Grove Cemetery, where Sandi’s ashes will be placed.