Thank You

As Sandi's family we want to thank all of you that have been there for Sandi. Many of her friends and loved ones visited her regularly and wanted to let her know how much she was loved. The Memorial service and Funeral were truly beautiful and I think she would have been happy that we chose to celebrate the time she was with us. It does not make it easier when our hearts are hurting and we are having a weak moment feeling sorry for ourselves but we will all find as time goes on that we can think of the good and great times with her without tears coming to our eyes.

For those of you who were not able to be at the graveside service, we buried Sandi at the Rivermonte Cemetery which is visible at the intersection of Hwy 65 and Hwy 60. She loved the thought that we would all think of her every time we drove past. When you look up the hill know that Sandi is resting in the shadow of the three large crosses.

One of the more touching moments in the graveside service was a surprise for Logan and Lauren. Sandi loved butterflies, you may have read in past posts that we even raised them in her hospital room, watching them transform from ordinary caterpillars to beautiful painted ladies. The staff at the funeral home heard of this and managed to find butterflies for the children to release at her graveside. While Sandi was never ordinary, I like to think that Sandi was like those butterflies. She was a caterpillar here on earth and has now gone through that difficult transformation to become as free as one of those beautiful creatures. It was very touching to see the butterflies fluttering around at the service.

I am not sure if this will be the last post here, more than likely it will. I think that it is time for closure and trying to heal our hearts.

Sandi...

We love you and miss you more than words can say.

Sandra Gail (Creighton) Gaddy

Sandi was born Sandra Gail Creighton on August 24, 1973 in Milford, Massachusetts. She was the third child of Roger and Carol Creighton. Her father was in the United States Navy which afforded the family the opportunity to move frequently during her young childhood, living in Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina and even overseas in Edzell, Scotland. When Sandi was 10 her father retired from the Navy and moved to the small town of Rolla, Missouri. Sandi attended school in Rolla where she became very active in school activities including cheerleading, drama, the school newspaper, the yearbook, and many clubs and activities. She graduated from Rolla High School in 1991 and then attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. She pursued her teaching degree with the zeal with which she approached everything in her life. She married her high school sweetheart Michael on July 10, 1993 and graduated from college in May of 1995. She began her teaching career in Chadwick, Missouri and within a few short years began teaching at Rogersville Middle school where she was employed until her death. She and Michael had two beautiful children, Logan and Lauren, who will miss her terribly but will be able to know that their mother was loved and appreciated by many people.

Four years ago Sandi was diagnosed with Colon Cancer at the age of 29. She approached her illness as she approached everything in her life, with determination. She was positive she would beat the cancer that was such a shock and nine months later the Doctors thought she had. Unfortunately just three months later when she attended her checkup they determined that it had returned. She fought with every fiber of her being three times in three years to beat this horrible disease and continued to fight until her last breath just over four years after her original diagnosis.

Sandi was very active in the Ozark United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school, played in the bell choir and helped with the Upward basketball program. Throughout the struggles with her illness Sandi never blamed God; in fact He strengthened her faith and gave her the courage to continue fighting. She believed that God held her up and helped her fight. Her faith never wavered and in true Sandi fashion, she led the way, showing her family and friends what true faith in God was.

Sandi lost her battle with cancer on Sunday, June 3, 2007. She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, and infant brother. She is survived by her Husband and two children. Her parents, her mother-in-law Carol Gaddy, her father-in-law Gene Gaddy and his wife Sarah, her sister Kristi Hicks and husband Kevin and their children Katie, Megan and Abigail, her sister-in-law Kelly Jo Goforth and husband Ben and their daughters Emily and Hannah, and friends too numerous to name.

Sandi will be missed by many but forgotten by none. We will keep her in our hearts and minds and take comfort in knowing that she is finally healed and in Heaven with her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Memorial Fund

We have been inundated with requests for the address to send donations for the memorial fund Sandi wanted us to establish in her name. She felt so very strongly about this, I know she would be happy that so many of you are wanting to contribute.

Citizens Bank of Rogersville
Sandra Gaddy Memorial Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 50
Rogersville, MO 65742

We had a beautiful memorial service for Sandi last night out at the middle school where she taught and it would have meant a lot to her to see so many of her students in attendance.

Arrangements

A memorial service will be held at Rogersville Middle School on Wednesday June 6^th at 6pm and the funeral service will be held at Ozark United Methodist Church in Ozark, MO on Thursday June 7, 2007 at 2 pm. The family requests that donations be made to the Sandra Gaddy Memorial Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers. Both services under the direction of Klingner-Cope Funeral Home at Rivermonte in Springfield, MO.

Internment will be at Rivermonte cemetery following the funeral on Thursday, you are welcome to follow and join us at the graveside.

Sad Day

Sandra Gail Creighton Gaddy went home to be with God this afternoon at 1:40 pm. She passed quickly and peacefully. She was so happy to know how many people were praying for her and keeping her in their thoughts. We take comfort in knowing that she is now in a better place and is watching over us and is finally whole again. I will post arrangements as soon as we know what they are.