Sandra L. Dew (1952-2022)
DEW, MATHIOT
Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/9/2022 at 13:55:21
Sandra L. “Sandy” Dew, age 69, of Dubuque, IA, completed her earthly journey on June 19, 2022, at Dubuque Specialty Care after a long battle with multiple health issues. Per Sandy’s request, no services will be held at this time. The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Sandy’s family.
Sandy was born on July 7, 1952, in Freeport, IL, the only child of Robert and Dorothy (Mathiot)Dew. Sandy always knew that she wanted to devote her life to helping others and proudly earned her degree in nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University. She promptly began her nursing career in Miami and after 2 years there, she decided that it was time to move back closer to home and started working at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Sandy always said she was proud to work in a hospital community which cared for people who were mostly disregarded and surrounded by poverty and violence. Sandy worked in numerous departments over the years and was eventually promoted into an administrative position. After another 8 years, she applied for and was accepted into a nursing administrative position in Saudi Arabia. She faced many challenges being a woman in Saudi Arabia during the mid-80’s, but in true Sandy fashion, she merely found it as another opportunity to thrive and serve others. After 2 years there, she returned to Chicago and went on to earn her MBA and was eventually promoted to a vice-president position at Mt. Sinai Hospital. She faithfully and earnestly invested countless hours and endless amounts of energy in order to achieve her goals in life, and continually possessed a spirit of humility throughout while her naturally gifted genius was clearly on display. Sandy initially began visiting Dubuque beginning in 1993 as a vacation getaway. Within two months, she bought a home of her own here after realizing that this was where she desired to retire. Unfortunately, her major health issues began to appear in 2003 which would in turn lead to multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitations. Over the next 4 years, she would need to re-learn to walk 5 times and sadly serious health issues continued to follow her for the rest of her life. Sandy enjoyed traveling extensively (especially to her timeshare in Aruba) and experiencing all of the wonders of God’s creation. In her free time, Sandy enjoyed sitting down to work on her latest crochet project, challenging herself with puzzle books and adult coloring, shopping for amazing works of art among other treasures, along with photography and playing the slots if the opportunity presented itself. Sandy was a fighter through and through and never gave up despite the serious health issues which plagued her daily life. She often credited her friends at Hope Church with helping her return and grow in her faith. Her friends gave her the support and love that she needed to face the difficult circumstances and her faith granted her the strength and hope she required to keep her eyes on the eternal side of life’s equation. Sandy’s favorite Bible verses were 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” We will miss Sandy’s bold and adventurous spirit, her vibrant independent streak, and zest for all that is good in this temporal world, but we know and trust that she is now safe in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior and we can only wait to see her beautiful smile once again. Thank you, Sandy, for leaving your positive imprint on almost every aspect of the world that you came into contact with and may we strive to carry such a wonderful legacy forward in our lives as well until we meet again.
Sandy’s family would like to thank Dr. Cao, his nurses and staff, everyone at Finley Hospital, Dubuque Specialty Care, Dubuque Manor Care, and the University of Iowa Urology Department, along with the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for all of their professional care, patience, kindness, and compassionate care. Sandy bravely faced more than her share of difficult medical circumstances and having so many excellent care providers alongside her throughout her battles surely made the trek a little easier for her. We cannot thank you enough and may the Lord bless all of you for your kindnesses.
Online condolences for Sandy’s friends may be left at www.tristatecremationcenter.com
Dubuque Obituaries maintained by Brenda White.
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