Obituary of Sandra Iline Gillespie

Sandra Iline Gillespie passed away peacefully on her birthday, at the age of 73. Surrounded by family and in the presence of love, she at last was freed from the pain that she had endured with such determination. Sandi was born in Burbank, CA to Mary Patricia Seder and Robert Wilson Seder. Her early childhood was spent in the Santa Cruz county area. After grade school her family relocated to Portland Oregon where she graduated from Milwaukie High School in 1968. Sandi returned to the Santa Cruz area to live with her Grandfather and this is where she met her husband Harley. The couple was married in 1973 and this was the beginning of their 50 year journey through life together. Sandi was a wonderful homemaker and mother who was always there for her family. Known for her excellent cooking and baking skills, Sandi won several blue ribbons over the years for both her apple pie and cheesecake at the county fair. An accomplished seamstress, Sandi sewed costumes and preformed for local community theatre groups and she especially enjoyed dressing up in period costumes and participating at the Renaissance Faire and Dickens Christmas Faire. She was able to bring history to life as well by participating as a reenactor with the National Civil War Association. After building their home in Soquel, CA, Sandi took a position as a teacher’s aide at Mountain Elementary School where she was able to be a positive influence for the young minds of her students. She felt and was thought of as a second mom for so many of the kids. Sandi had a great love for all things Disney and believing that work, whenever possible, should be like a vacation, she found a home at the Disney Store in Capitola. Family was always in the forefront in her life. Semiannual trips to Oregon became a ritual, seeking to spend as much time with her Mom, her Sisters and their families as possible. On these trips, laughter, fun and food were always at the center of every gathering. For all that knew her, she will forever be remembered for her smile and that twinkle in her eye. Sandi is survived by her loving husband of 50 years Harley ; devoted son Chris Gillespie (Amber) and grandchild Isabella “Felix”. She is also survived by her brother Dan Garrett (Betty) of Modesto, CA; her sister Wendy Bluhm (Gerald) of Milwaukie, OR; and her sister Laurene Brenner (Les) of West Linn, OR, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Sandi’s name be made to the Arthritis Foundation or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.