Sandra Mae Devine, born February 19th, 1945, in Dayton, Ohio to Rita Bennett (Huber) and Thomas Bennett, died peacefully at the family home of her eldest daughter and devoted caregiver, Lisa Borbath, in Winter Garden, Florida on May 4th, 2023.
Sandy was the eldest of nine children and grew up moving from state to state and across the globe due to her father’s career as an Air Force officer. From France and Okinawa to Texas, Illinois, Ohio and California, Sandy explored the world while also helping to care for her younger siblings. Sandy’s caring and nurturing nature together with her unwavering faith in God and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church would define her life.
Sandy met her husband Joe Devine in California where her family had finally settled. Joe and Sandy were married in 1966 and her life on the go continued anew as Joe’s career moved her and their three children Lisa, Jenny and Mark 17 times across nine different states. All the while, Sandy was a devoted and caring mother and wife never hesitating to give all her time, energy and love to raising her children, supporting her husband and advocating for the lives of unborn children everywhere.
Joe was diagnosed with cancer in 1997 and Sandy spent the next 23 years at his side shepherding his care as his health and mobility slowly declined. After 54 years of marriage, Joe passed away in 2020 and soon thereafter Sandy was tragically diagnosed with cancer. She eventually lost her battle to cancer after fighting courageously for nearly three years.
Sandy was an artist and successful businesswoman selling her painted creations online at Sandra D Designs. She loved to read and was a spelling bee champion in her youth. Her sharp mind, memory and curiosity made her a formidable opponent in trivia games or while watching Jeopardy. Her quick wit and sense of humor made her a joy to be with. Everyone who ever knew her were lucky to have had her in their lives. She will be forever missed, and the world will be a sadder place without her.
Sandy leaves behind her three children and their spouses Lisa and David Borbath, Jennifer and Henry Filipek and Mark and Åsa Devine and her nine grandchildren Claire, Brandon, and Kevin Borbath; Rachael, Ethan and Christian Filipek; and Simone, Isabella, and Eleanor Devine.