Happy Birthday Sandee, from London. I know how much you enjoyed being in the UK. Speaking of which, Caroline's mom just passed away, so pay her a visit if you get a chance. ;)
You are still really missed, which I doubt will change, but Erin is getting to the point where she can recall funny stories and laugh about them.
She also staked out a few of your Fireking dishes on my behalf... we decided that since our next move will likely be to downsize, we probably shouldn't bring in a full set of dishes but I got dibs on coffee cups, saucers and cream and sugar service, which are now apparently boxed up in your basement until our next car trip up. Also Erin brought home the salt and pepper shaker for me. I do miss sending you pictures of different bits I see in antique stores. Visiting those stores isn't as fun anymore... turns out hunting down those dishes and sending you the pictures was a big part of the enjoyment. Sending love from the mortal plane. Your Son in Law (how did you get so lucky!?)

Happy birthday, Mom. Xo

Dear Mom, it’s hard to believe that you have been gone for 3 years. I miss you still so much. All my love,
Erin

Happy 80th Sandee. I was just reminding Erin how proud you make her, and how you know how much you meant to her. She is doing well, being as healthy as she can be, and taking after you by worrying about everything and everyone. Maybe give her a little poke and remind her the lesson you learned and lived after you got sick:. Life is short, live it now.
Btw - we got a second dog. She has so far eaten all our bedding and pillows, many shoes, about half our socks, 3 remote controls, a mobile phone, headphones, and has snacked on 2 expensive ottomans. You'd laugh....
Lots of love
Howard

It's hard to believe it's been 2 years since I've smiled at your FB posts. Cats. Always cats. Miss your smile, Sandee. 

Two years later and I think I miss you even more now.

Dear Mom,
You are missed so much. Nothing I can write will come close to expressing how much.  xoxoxoxo

My memories of Sandee always include her smiling face and positive outlook. I loved stopping to chat and share neighborhood stories; she was a great neighbor here on Milton Street.

I knew that Sandee loved her cats but she always encouraged me to bring my 
dog, Spot (a therapy dog), to visit her at Hillman while she was receiving therapy. Unfortunately, we never made it there due to COVID restrictions but her encouragement helped me to get Spot visiting folks at Shadyside Hospital; I will always credit Sandee for the smiles that Spot brings to the patients at Shadyside Hospital and, hopefully, someday to those at Hillman.

I wish to express my sympathy to your family; I’m sending love and prayers.

Just a quick note, today...
Someone posted something new on the site today and I came back here and flipped through some of the pictures and thought about Sandee for a few minutes. I texted my wife (her daughter) to tell her how fresh her passing feels, each time I see the pictures and stories, and how it is hard to believe she was in my life for almost 3 decades. Sandee and I spent a lot of time in hospital waiting rooms together as Erin had her various surgeries. We shared some intense moments and emotions, probably more than most people have with their inlaws. She was a very warm, loving woman who cared very deeply about her family and so many others.

Sandee was a kind and courageous friend.I never heard her complain but she would always addressed my pains and aches with encouraging words despite the fact that they were minuscule compared to hers.
She spoke so lovingly about her family which also included her "adopted" daughters whom she welcomed into her home as exchange students.
Sandy gave me many linen blouses and some pants that became too big for her. I wore them all summer long last year and also this summer, and think about her even more when I wear them.
Sandy-rest in peace.

I was fortunate to have a too short friendship with Sandee when I lived in Pittsburgh. My son Nick was friends with Kate at the Falk School. We shared a love of flea markets and travel among other things. When I knew Sandee, she was more of a quilter than a knitter And when we reconnected on Facebook I had hoped to share my collection of yarns with her.
I moved to Los Angeles after leaving Pittsburgh and we were able to get together when she came to visit her sister. I was very fortunate to spend that time with her as I never quite made it back to Pittsburgh.
Sandee was a very generous and giving friend and fun to be with and I mourn her and wish that we had been able to spend more time together. I will
always treasure the times we did have.

I have been trying to think of the right words to say as a tribute to my mom. No words can ever fully describe my love for her. As a child, we often butted heads. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized it was because we were so similar. And that realization was not a bad thing. There is not another mother I would like to be similar to. I have learned so much about parenting, love, and life from my mom. She was always there when I was having a troubling time or a joyous time. She was there for my bazillion pictures of cats i own or took care of at my animal shelter. She was a generous person, sending me money to help animals in need find their forever homes. She took my daughter in last summer for a visit and summer camp. She helped us pay for daycare when Dave and I were new parents and had to work lower paying jobs. She always said she would rather help her children now than when we were older and established. I will never forget that generosity and way of thinking. I hope to provide that same love as my own children grow. My mom was an all around amazing person and I miss her every day. It warms my heart to read everything people are saying about her. Thank you for having a special place in your heart for Sandee. I know she felt that love and friendship as much as you did.

Sandee was a warm, friendly, and incredibly brave woman. We send our love and best to Ken, Erin, Kate and their families. 

I want to thank Sandee's friends for their posts, stories, and photos on her memorial web page. They nicely capture her spirit and sense of humor (including the dark side tinge) and how much she meant to so many people. These posts mean a lot to Kate, Erin and me, and they will help our grandchildren appreciate just how special a person she was.

I met Sandee in 1976 when we were both at Yale. In 1977, Sandee moved back to LA and in 1978 I moved to Pittsburgh, to assume a faculty position at Pitt. Our moving at the same time led us to strike up correspondence. Eventually, I built up the courage and asked her if she would like to join me in Pittsburgh. Amazingly, she said yes, and in early 1980, she, her daughter Erin, and their cat Daphne made the move to Pittsburgh. Sandee and I married in May of that year. Our daughter Kate was born the following year. 

Sandee was immensely supportive of me in my scientific career, but at the same time she taught me the importance of balance in life (i.e., the importance of family and friends and taking time to explore when traveling, etc.). We especially enjoyed the travel that we were able to do together. This includes extended stays in Salt Lake City, Boulder, Manchester, UK, Canberra, Australia, plus a year outside Washington DC, while I was working at the National Science Foundation. There were many shorter trip to Norway, Italy, Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden, France, the Czech Republic, Japan, and Switzerland. Almost every one of our trips had surprises and led to stories that we would tell for years to come. And, of course, there were many trips to visit Erin and Kate, and their families, in the various places that they lived. 

Many of the posts on the memorial page have commented on Sandee's dedication to her family. She was always there for Erin, Kate, and me, as well as for other members of our extended family when needed. When I experienced serous back problems four years ago, Sandee drove me to numerous doctor's appointments as well as to physical therapy until I was able to do this on my own. When Sandee learned that she had pancreatic cancer three years ago, her first thoughts were how to maximize time with family and friends. As noted in my Shiva post, Sandee was able to make two trips to the UK, one to Houston where Erin and family live, and two to Virginia Beach where Kate and Family live, two trips to the UK, including a girls only trip with Kate, Erin, Leah and Jordan and a road trip to New England to visit friends in Vermont and family in Massachusetts. The second trip to the UK, was by the two us, and we first went to York (which Sandee very much enjoyed) where I was attending a meeting, and then down to London. When her friends the Mineos, and Kathrine (our former exchange student) learned that Sandee was going to be in London, they booked flights to be able to get together with us there (and Kathrine was accompanied by her sister and parents). This reflects on how much Sandee was loved by her friends. We were both very moved by this.  In addition, this trip gave us a chance to get together with the Earls and Christies, whom we knew from when they were in Pittsburgh. 

Our close friend Khrys said to me that "if anything, Sandee become more fully like Sandee after learning she had cancer". Although that statement may seem strange, it is on the mark. If anything, Sandee's zest for life was even greater over the past three years. Even in the last month of her life, Sandee was planning new trips to Europe and in the US. I will so much miss not being able to undertake these with her. But I do hope to undertake some of the trips, especially those to visit friends, that we had been discussing, once it is safe to travel again. I know that she would want me to. 

Sandee was always friendly, engaging, and welcoming. She was one of those special adults who can hold a conversation with a teenager and remember details about your life and make you feel special. She welcomed me many times into her home and family. I first got to know her in 1989 when she hosted her Italian daughter Gaia, whom I became good friends with (remaining until this day!) and thus friends with Erin as well. Getting out of the stifling and boring suburbs and into the amazing city with Gaia and Erin -hanging out with the Allderdice kids - were my favorite moments of my high school years. And they brought new people and cultures into my life. I do not recall how often we stayed in touch after Gaia returned to Italy, but I do remember meeting Howie when he was a fairly "new" boyfriend of Erin's! Many moons later I would spend my own years as a student overseas, and visit Gaia and her family in Italy so the threads weaving Sandee/Erin, Gaia and myself together into the tapestry of life spun on. When I married one of Gaia's friends Max and we raised our own boys in Pittsburgh, I would always run into Sandee - often in Whole Foods - and we would gladly catch up. With Gaia in Boston and Erin in Houston, Sandee was the center here in Pittsburgh that held our connections together. My deepest condolences to all who loved her! She will be missed!!!

When in the Summer of 1989 our daughter Gaia left for her AFS exchange year program to the USA, we were curious and anxious about the American family that would host her.
We could not have been luckier, Sandee and Ken Jordan were the best host parents we could hope for! Gaia also loved having a sister of the same age, Erin, and a younger sister, Kate.
Sandee managed to establish a wonderful relationship with Gaia, she helped her improve the language and to live her exchange year in the best way.
Since that year we have enlarged our family and had the opportunity to meet each other several times in Italy, in Pittsburgh and in Boston where Gaia now lives.
We have always appreciated Sandee's generosity, her open-mindedness, her love for beauty and for the arts and the warm atmosphere she has always managed to create in her home.
Thank you Sandee for your smile and your kindness that will be forever in our hearts.
Stefania and Gianni Grazia

Sandee was a kind and generous person, full of positive energy. I remember fondly my interactions with her, mainly at social events such as dinners and parties. My first time visiting the Jordan’s house, when they still lived on Beechwood Blvd., is a case in point. Ken and Sandee invited a few people over for dinner. I committed their house address to memory, but could not find their address after an hour of searching. This was because I was looking on Shady Ave. instead of Beechwood Blvd.! When I realized my mistake, I raced over to their house. Everyone had eaten and all the other guests had already left, but Ken and Sandee invited me in cheerfully, fed me to completion, and entertained me graciously. This made a warm impression on me, and all my subsequent visits to their house on Beechwood and later on Milton St., proved similarly enjoyable. Sandee particularly delighted in telling stories about Ken, in his presence, to other guests, but I won’t repeat any of these here.

Dear Sandee,

your smiling eyes
your caring words
the warmth of your hugs

will live in my heart forever

love you

your Italian daughter - Gaia

Kate Yeager & Erin Walper usually after I spend a day rambling in the Yorkshire countryside, I post some pics, largely because I know how much your mom has always loved the virtual visits here. I loved the message posted on the church and taking time to pay our respects to the many lives that graced these beautiful hills. I thought about Sandee Jordan a lot and am posting them in her honor. I hope you can both feel the healing love and sunshine that were present here.

I first met Sandee on June 4th 1997, when I moved to the US to study with Ken. Sandee and Ken very kindly offered me accommodation in their house for the first weeks from my arrival. From the very first moment I met Sandee, she was warm, supportive, kind - it was almost like having a second Mom. The meals I had back then at Sandee's table with the Jordan family are still some of the best meals I've ever had!

After a few weeks of be staying in their house, Sandee, Ken and Kate left for Colorado for Ken's sabbatical. They kindly let me stay on in their house on Beechwood Boulevard to look after their two cats - I realised years later how I must have been trusted to look after her precious feline family members! I don't know if it was Sandee's influence, but I went from never having a pet cat, to sharing our house with 5 cats at one point in time.

When I moved out of their house to an apartment in Squirrel Hill, Sandee went above and beyond to help me settle in - driving me around to pick-up furniture, and sharing insights about Pittsburgh.

Sandee was an ever-present in my 15 years in Pittsburgh - I would often see her on the weekends, she attended my wedding, and she met my daughters (now 11 and 13) as new-born babies. She was always warm, supportive, kind.

Since we moved our family to London in 2012, we've been lucky to see Sandee on several occasions when she visited the UK. It was always wonderful to see her again, to catch-up with news about our families, and to share her love of travelling and exploring London. I was lucky enough to visit Sandee and Ken last November - Sandee was just as warm and funny as she had always been.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Erin, Kate and Ken. Sandee was a wonderful, inspirational woman, who played such a big part in so many people's lives, not least mine. Thinking of Sandee brings me nothing but happy memories. She will never be forgotten.

Ken, Kate & Erin, I’m thinking about you so much, sending you all my love and virtual hugs until we can all see each other. I’ve loved being privy to your incredibly close and supportive relationships with your mom through tough times and lighthearted celebrations. I’ll always appreciate how she shared a love of the UK, progressive politics, and made an effort to keep in touch with us when wherever we moved. She has been such a positive & funny Inspiration over the past few years. I’m so grateful that we were all together while she was looking so feisty and spirited last May for Ethan’s bar mitzvah & Leah’s graduation. I’ll miss her regular cat memes and her regular contact with me on Facebook. And I’ll really miss her presence at family events. But I know this is nothing compared to the loss you’re feeling. I love you all and keeping you in my thoughts. Sending so much love to you Ken, Erin, Kate, Dave & kids, & Howie, Leah & Ethan.

Sandee was an inspiration to me with her kindness and generosity to people all over the world. I loved hearing stories about the many exchange students that she and Ken hosted in their home. I am also grateful for the chances I had to get to know her over dinner with her and Ken at some of their favorite restaurants. Thank you for shining your bright light.

Where to begin? Michael has his own memories of Sandee from his years at Pitt during PhD and post-doc. When we would visit with Ken & Sandee, some of those memories were inevitably recalled and shared again (mostly stories about the cats). When we moved back to PA in 2003, Michael would often visit Pitt for his continued research collaborations with Ken - and Sandee and I would meet for lunch, a visit to Phipps, walks around the neighborhood while talking about whatever came to our minds. During the summer months in those early years, we'd take Tessa & Leah to the museum (when Leah would visit) and have grown-up discussions in between monitoring the girls. Sandee would also drive up to GC and we'd spend the day exploring antique shops and chatting in our livingroom. She'd usually have a knitting project with her. There are shared memories of the trip we all took to Telluride (including the long drive to/from Denver) - and my favorite memories from that trip are of the 3 day excursion that Sandee and I took (leaving the guys to do their 'science stuff' in Telluride). After just a few hours walking the streets and exploring, we both said that we'd move to Durango if we had the chance! She was patient with me as I photographed everything in sight - and we enjoyed finding restaurants, bakeries and gift shops. Sandee always had amazing stories to share about all of her travel adventures (her own, those she shared with Ken and other friends/family). She was a gifted story-teller, drawing the listener into her memories in a way that made the listener want to visit those same places. I could write many paragraphs about my favorite "Sandee Stories"!  Other memories are our shared dinners with Ken & Sandee...inevitably, we'd make it about 1/2 hour into the meal...then Michael & Ken would start in on their 'chemistry' talk, leaving Sandee and I to happily talk about everything other THAN chemistry! Sandee became a trusted confidante and 'mom' to me, filling the void left by the loss of my own mom. She would offer advice when I asked, share her own experiences with parenting and always encourage me to just 'do the best that you can'. Her sense of humor matched mine and we would sometimes just start laughing at the silliest things that we observed or whatever caught our attention. In recent years, we shared many wonderful meals at Union Grille - Sandee would try something 'new' and I'd stick with my favorite meal - she was adventurous in so many ways! Sandee lived life to the fullest, but did so without pretension (even though she was gifted intellectually and with her beautiful handiwork).  When she shared her diagnosis with us, I remember thinking, "If anyone can beat the odds, it will be Sandee"...and she did. She beat the odds with her always-present grace, humor, courage, humility, strength, positive perspective, gratitude and vibrancy that drew others to her. Some of my best memories from the past 17 years involve Sandee Jordan - and I know this true for so many others whose lives were touched by the blessing of knowing her. 

Sandee and I met in the fall of 1983 shortly after Roberto, Mika (then two years old) and I had moved to Beechwood Boulevard, a few houses up from Ken and Sandee´s house in those days. It must have been just before Halloween because I remember her talking about making Erin and Kate´s costumes and trick-or-treating, which I knew nothing about. We ended up all going out trick-or-treating together with our children on Halloween night, and this was the beginning of our life-long friendship. Soon we were in and out of each other´s houses, especially as our kids enjoyed playing together. 

Sandee and I shared many interests: knitting, patchwork/quilting, which she introduced me to, cats, antiques and we had so much fun together exploring yarn and fabric stores, antique markets and going on trips to the Amish country. Throughout the years we lived in Squirrel Hill she was such a wonderful neighbour, always sensitive and offering to help. 

We moved to Germany in 1988 and Sandee wrote me regular letters in her beautiful hand-writing keeping me updated on her life, which often took her to far-away places with Ken. Later when we moved to Oxford and then London she started visiting us regularly and I have wonderful memories of things we did together including going to concerts at St. Martins-in-the-Fields and other churches, to museums and to Portobello and other markets. 

Sandee was so great at keeping in touch whether sending letters or cards. via phone calls or later emails, sharing her life and sending photos of Kate and Erin and the grandchildren so that I felt I knew them all. In spite of her own severe illness she  was always so full of concern, interesst and support for others including me and my family.  Sandee just touched so many people´s hearts.  I am so grateful she managed to make it to London with Ken last April and that we could meet up. 

Over the years Sandee became one of the most important people in my life. She was my best friend and I miss her terribly.

We first met Sandee when she and and Ken invited us to stay in their house for a few days until our rental house was ready. We were incredibly grateful to be welcomed so openly and to have a place to stay with our 3-year-old. (Also, we were a bit worried about what said 3-year-old might do to the cats or the furniture.) Sandee graciously drove us from one store to the next to organize all the essentials we had to leave behind in Germany, like a car seat and, after a few days, a car. That was 15 years ago.
Later, we would get together whenever we were in Pittsburgh and also met in Telluride 5 years ago. After that, we became Facebook friends and I began to fully appreciate her sense of humor and her outspokenness, not to mention all those cat memes. It was truly inspiring to watch her make the most out of every day and to never stop planning her next outing. I had to chuckle when she wrote that she was so mad at Ken because he refused to smuggle her cat into the hospital.
While I can't even imagine the pain Ken and their kids must be in right now, I know that her grace, her spirit, and her kindness have made the world a better place. I will miss her.

Last week we lost a very special person and a dear sister-in-law. My heart goes out to my brother Ken and his daughters and their families. May Sandee continue to be an inspiration to them-she never gave up or took pity upon herself, but instead took it in stride and tried to continue living life to its fullest. It was Sandee who made the effort to keep the family in contact with almost annual family gatherings. She believed it was important for this connection. I thank her also for calling me often and sometimes for a couple of hours when my own husband was ill and I with three children and life not looking so well. Thank you Sandee for your kindness, your thoughtfulness, and your great enthusiasm for life. You will dearly be missed.

Sandee and I met in the early 1980s when I was welcomed into a quilting group to which Sandee belonged. We would rotate homes, and I remember a fun evening or two in Sandee's home on Beechwood Blvd. Sandee brought Enid into the fold when Enid's husband, Michael, came to Pittsburgh as a visiting scientist at Pitt from Australia. Enid & I remain in contact and I have visited her outside Sydney. We always acknowledge our Sandee Connection. I remember Sandee's primary interest being in knitting, but will always remember her laugh and the fun she brought to those weekly quilt meetings before children and life got in the way and the meetings ended. We lost touch for a few years, but rekindled our friendship in the age of Facebook, and her funny posts involving cats always made me chuckle. So many of her posts, photos, and messages to me were from a medical chair while undergoing chemo at Hillman. Then her hand problem and she lamented the end of knitting for awhile. Her perseverance and fighting spirit were inspirational and she always managed to reset my priorities when I found myself feeling blue. I will miss you, dear Sandee. I will carry your Spirit, and fight on. <3

in my mind heaven gained a great gardener. when i see red climbing roses and beautiful rhododendrons i have always thought of sandee. the first time i met here was in her back yard in regent square. after that first time we became friends. every meeting at giant eagle or a school function included talk about gardening, cats and antiquing trips. i will miss all of that and her wonderful smile and laugh. god speed.

I worked for Ken as his administrative assistant for many years until my retirement last May. One of the highlights of my job was talking with Sandee when Ken was out of the office. She was so upbeat and full of humor when we talked. She brightened my day. I miss those random phone calls but I know that, wherever she is now, she is making them laugh.

Sandee was so feisty, quick witted and sharp, I can barely believe that she is gone. I remember sitting down with her and her telling me she had cancer, but she was not going to let that stop her and was ready to fight it tooth and nail. And that she did—she treasured her family and friends, traveling and knitting, good coffee and cats. She and Ken welcomed me into their home and life when I needed a place to live, and their home became a refuge for me. Sandee was always someone who listened and taught me to laugh at myself more, with a little bit of dark humor thrown in. She was a cheerleader for me and a constant source of encouragement. Sandee was the real deal and just the coolest. I am so beyond grateful for her and loved her so very much. I will miss my coffee and knitting dates with her where she would share news about her family, show me pictures of where she traveled to, show me jokes she found online and pictures of cats, talk about knitting, while always asking about how I was doing and truly caring about me. My life is fuller having known her. And my heart is broken that she is gone.  

When Patsy and I moved to Pittsburgh in 1986, Sandee and Ken were the first to welcome us into their home and we became good friends. Sandee's broad interests, especially music and literature, expanded our horizons and helped knit two families together. We also had great fun outdoors including Telluride and a memorable snowstorm in Zion National Park. We also admire how she dealt with difficulty with grace a good nature. Thank you Sandee for being part of our life.

Sandee was so warm and generous. She was always smiling, always seeing the good in things, always kind. Interested in what others had to say. Gentle and humorous. 

What I treasure from our Sunday morning 61B hang outs with Sandee and Ken was Sandee's ability to thrive in the moment. Sandee somehow managed to knit and imbue our conversations with warmth, humor, generosity and kindness.

My Beautiful Friend, Sandee! I wish that I had more time with you. More time to talk and go out to eat as we had always planned. More time. More talks. More you. I know that your spirit will always be here and for that I am grateful. Until we meet again- may you be at peace in heaven! Love you!

The world got a little darker, but Heaven gained an angel.

Even though Mrs. Jordan knew what the outcome would be, I wholeheartedly believed things would be different because of all that she had accomplished after her diagnosis. She turned months into years. She gave me the audacity to hope (❤❤).

I'm going to miss her great heart, morbid sense of humor, posts about cats, knitting & birds. She truly lived life to the fullest!!

Kate Yeager & Erin Walper, you have my deepest condolences. Your mother lives on in all who had the honor of knowing her.

You were a great warrior. Lay down your sword & rest now, Mrs. Jordan. God healed you in a way only He could. You won the battle!!

This weekend, I lost one of my dearest friends. In this surreal time, it is hard to feel the reality of it. I knew it was going to happen. I knew it was probably going to happen within the week. But still it does not feel real.

I can't go to her family. I cannot give or receive hugs to soften the heartbreak and grief.

I could not be there to say goodbye. I could not tell her how much I loved and adored her, how much our sweet friendship has meant to me for so many years. Sandee had many "adopted" children around the world and I'm sure each one felt as though they were as special to her as I did. And I'm sure they were.

Sandee loved her family more than anything. She had the softest heart for animals and those in need. I met her back in high school--she's the mother of one of my other dearest friends. When I came back to Pittsburgh in the late 90s, we reconnected and ended up becoming friends in our own right.

She was my OtherMother, my friend, and my confidant. I can hear her voice and laugh in my head. I can't really process that I will never hear either again.
Sandee Jordan, I love you so much and I am so grateful you were in my life.

My heart breaks trying to imagine life without you, but we'll forge ahead as you would have wanted us to do.

Sending my love to Erin, Ken, and Kate. I hold you in my heart even though I cannot hold you in my arms.

When Erin and Howard got married we truly extended our family. Sandy and Ken gave us our wonderful, sweet, caring daughter-in-law, Erin, and they supported; and embraced our son, Howard. We celebrated family milestones together throughout the years. Sandee and I kept in touch, grandmother to grandmother, via messenger and phone calls. We always had the bonding of our value of “family first.”
We are so glad that December 2018 we made a holiday visit to Sandee and Ken in Pittsburgh. We chatted in their home, went to lunch, went to a different coffee shop for dessert, and lastly back to their home. Sandee was tired by the end of the visit, but her optimism and desire to “push through” was inspiring to all of us.
We say, “May her memory be a blessing.” Sandee Jordan was a blessing to all who knew her. May she rest in peace. She will be missed.

My favorite memory of Sandee is a pretty strange one - Kate and I were hanging out after school, and when we walked into the house, Sandee was taking a nap on the couch. Not strange yet, I know, but somehow she had managed to fall asleep with one arm bent at the elbow, sticking straight up into the air. We were utterly amazed at such talent. 

Sleeping skills aside, Sandee was always kind and patient with our antics. She fed me hundreds of delicious meals, listened to even more hundreds of dumb stories, and ensured that I always felt welcome in her home. I have so many fond memories of making peanut butter cookies, admiring her latest cool find at an antique store, or just sitting at the dining room table and chatting. 

We are going to miss her. 

I don’t know where to start...Sandee has been my second mom. Coming to their house as an exchange student in 1998 and staying for a year as their family member. It was hard to be away from your family and friends at the age of 17, but Sandee made me feel so safe. We had so many great car drives (Boston, Washington DC etc), talking, listening to music and going to drive throughs. Sandee and Ken have visited me and my family in Norway several times, and I have been back to Pittsburgh, we even got to see each other in London last year my kids called her grandma. words can not describe how much I already miss you Sandee, even though it could go months between our talks it was like we had talked yesterday. Thank you for letting me be part of your wonderful family and giving me so many great memories! I will do my best to stay in contact with Kate, Ken and the rest of your family, I know you would like that. Hugs and tears from your Norwegian daughter

Sandee was the best mother-in-law a guy could hope for. I was still in college when I met Erin, and she considerately kept her reservations about the strange, bushy-haired guy her daughter was dating to herself, while (either deliberately or not) encouraging me to stick around by feeding me. Maybe this was her "cat woman" instinct kicking in. If you keep feeding something, it keeps coming back!
Sandee and I really bonded over some of Erin's health scares over the years. We'd keep each other entertained in various waiting rooms, blowing surgical gloves into balloons that we'd bat around (back in the days when surgical gloves were something that could be used once and thrown away). We'd make terrible, dark jokes to each other. And we'd eat - once, while Erin was in the hospital, we chowed down on all you can eat Brazilian BBQ. I'd never seen Sandee put away so much meat before. Another memorable culinary disaster was when we bought about 5lbs of chocolate covered almonds that we dispensed of in about 4 days. Impressive stuff.
During the past several years, she and I would text back and forth about music - she enjoyed telling me about her playlists that she was listening to while getting chemo. I'd send her pictures from concerts - particularly Dead and Company and Willie Nelson - two artists I'd hoped we'd get a chance to see together. We never got that opportunity, but I feel like we shared some concerts all the same.
She fought cancer as well as it can be fought. She took a grim prognosis and managed to squeeze out a few really good years, to the point where it felt like she could go on forever. She showed us all how to appreciate "a few good years" by living them well, with so much joy. When she would try to give things away (gifts, etc), I would tell her - don't get rid of anything yet! I'm betting you'll live long enough to be a burden on your children! (kidding, of course - she knew that). Sadly, she didn't make it to that stage, as that is a "burden" I would have been so happy to take on.
I am really going to miss her. She was a wonderful, caring, loving woman who enjoyed her husband, children and grandchildren so much. I think she even liked her to son-in-laws a bit.... =)
Just the other day the song "Touch of Gray" by the Grateful Dead came on, which had become her cancer survival song, and I was tempted to text her and let her know I was thinking of her. 
Rest well, Sandee - we all love you.