Sandra Lee "Sandy" Wybranowski

Sandra Lee “Sandy” Wybranowski, 70 of Bois Blanc Island and formerly of Kentwood and Rockford, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Hancock Haven Retirement Village in Cheboygan.

Born on September 13, 1945, Sandy was the daughter of Lee and Eula (Thren) Mayne.

She grew up in Chelsea and was a graduate of Chelsea High School.  Sandy earned a BA degree from Ferris State University and her Master’s Degree in Education from Grand Valley State University.  Sandy taught at Sibley Elementary and Harrison Park Middle School in the Grand Rapids Public Schools where she was recognized by the Grand Rapids Foundation as a Teacher of Excellence.  She finished her teaching career at Grand Valley State University.

Sandy was also a former president of the Kent County Gerald R. Ford Republican Women’s Club, a highlight of which was having lunch with former Michigan Governor John Engler and having Michigan’s First Lady Michelle Engler visit her classroom.

Sandy enjoyed snow skiing, horses, monarch butterflies, nature walks, sailing, dancing, gourmet cooking, everything related to education and travel.  Her favorite view was of the Mackinac Bridge from her cottage on Bois Blanc Island.   Some of her favorite trips were to Spain with her daughter, Tamara and a Spanish Immersion trip to Guatemala before a visit to her son, John, and family.

From 1965-1985 Sandy was married to John Tillotson.  They were co-owners of Wonderland Pharmacy in Wyoming.

On February 22, 1988 Sandy married the love of her life, Tom Wybranowski.  Sandy and Tom enjoyed the renovation of their flat in Rockford and building their home on Bois Blanc Island.

She is survived by her husband, Tom; her children, John (Maria) Tillotson of Hudsonville and Tamara Gipson of Los Angeles, CA; her step children, T.J. (Doreen) Wybranowski of Grand Rapids and Heather (Cathy Hall) Martin of Saugatuck; grandchildren, Andrea, Isabella and Alex Tillotson and Brianna Wybranowski; and her sister-in-law, Linda Mayne.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Rocky Mayne late last year.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Rockford where the family will visit with friends beginning at 10:00 AM.  A memorial gathering will be held later on Bois Blanc Island where interment will be at Woodland Glade Cemetery.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church School Building Fund or the Bois Blanc Island Foundation.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hancock Haven who lovingly took care of Sandy for the past three years.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com