Sandra Jeanne Janke

Sandy grew up in Chicago and attended Mundelein High School, where she was a cheerleader. She married Ralph Janke in 1961, and together they raised five children: Brian, Karen, Daniel, Mary Kae, and Michael. They were married for 60 years until Ralph's death in 2021.

Ralph's career took the family away from Chicago, first to Erie, PA, and later to Cherry Hill, NJ, before eventually returning to the Chicago area. With Ralph frequently traveling for work, Sandy devoted herself to raising their five children and making each new place home. She was a loving, devoted - albeit strict - mother who made lunches and home-cooked dinners every day. Sundays were the exception, when Ralph made breakfast for the family after Mass.

An exceptional cook, Sandy was also famously thrifty. "Waste not, want not" was a familiar refrain, as was "Don't make me have to wrap up any of this." On family road trips, she packed a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly, and she made sandwiches in the front seat to pass back to the kids. "Waste not, want not" became such a part of the family vocabulary that her children have repeated many times to their own children.

Beds were made daily, and Saturday meant age-appropriate chores, followed by Mom making sure everything had been done properly. But there was always a soundtrack in the background - Neil Diamond, John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, Fiddler on the Roof or Annie playing on her 8-tracks. Her children may not have inherited her enthusiasm for Saturday cleaning, but all five inherited her love of music.

Sandy and Ralph later purchased a candy store, relocating and expanding it into The Barrington Sweet Tooth - a gourmet chocolate, candy and collectibles shop with something for children and grown-ups alike.

Her Catholic faith remained important throughout her life. In 2001, they retired and moved from the Chicago suburbs to Surprise, AZ, where they were parishioners at Prince of Peace and attended Mass regularly. When her health no longer allowed her to attend in person, she continued watching Mass on television.

Sandy enjoyed cards, dominoes and mahjong with family and friends and, later in life, crafting - especially diamond artwork. She had a wonderful sense of humor, usually accompanied by a healthy dose of sarcasm.

Sandy is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her mother, Frances, and father, Francis Burns; her brothers, Jack and William Burns; her sisters, Marguerite Regan and Mary Carol Palmer.

She is survived by her sister, Delanne Reiss; her children, Brian (Susan) Janke, Karen (Luke) Filosa, Daniel (Angela) Janke, Mary Kae (Kevin) Strocher, and Michael (Kelli) Janke; her 17 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

The family is grateful to the staff and care team at The Colonnade and to Hospice of the Valley for their kindness and care.

In lieu of flowers, Sandy encouraged memorial contributions to St. Vincent de Paul.