Sandy Williams
1951-05-26 2013-06-11Sandra Lee Williams (nee Elmer), age 62, died peacefully in her home on June 11, 2013. Born on May 26, 1951, Sandy was a lifelong St. Louis resident and pediatric healthcare provider. She attended Riverview Gardens High School before receiving her RN at the Barnes Hospital School of Nursing and her PNP at Washington University School of Medicine. Sandy worked at DePaul and Cardinal Glennon Hospitals, and in private practice, before opening After Hours Pediatric Urgent Care in 2001. A true trailblazer in her field, Sandy cared for pediatric patients and their families with an unrivaled combination of knowledge, compassion and respect.
A loving mother, grandmother, sister and daughter, Sandy will be greatly missed by many. She is survived by daughters Amy Soell (Erik) and Jill Williams, as well as her father Leroy Elmer and brothers Jake (Lisa Trapp), Gary, and Scott (Kathy). She was beloved “Mer” to her grandchildren, Oscar, Harry, Tatum and Gus. Sandy was preceded in death by her mother, Edna Elmer, and sister, Annie. A great friend to many, Sandy will be particularly missed by her best friend Donna and her sisterhood of friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 22, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sandra Lee Williams Memorial Scholarship in Nursing at UMSL. Checks can be made out to the Curators of the University of Missouri (with scholarship name in memo line) and sent to Attn: Maura Wuellner, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 440 Woods Hall, One University Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63121.
Sandy and I became fast friends in seventh grade at East Junior High. We laughed, acted silly, shared secrets and talked about boys. We stayed overnight with each other and visited each others churches. We were cast as sisters in the school play in 8th grade. We were cheerleaders together in 9th grade. In high school, we took a turn at gymnastics together. To this day, I associate Petula Clark's "Downtown" with Sandy. I count my lucky stars that I was able to spend so much time with Sandy the last 10 years of her life. We had many dinners together, went to the movies, shared books, practiced yoga and visited art fairs. Sandy loved Arlo Guthrie and Leonard Cohen. Her favorite movie was "What About Bob." We were great fans of "The Wire." She was crazy about her grandkids and was devoted to her two daughters as a mother, friend and confidant. During those years, Sandy was really good to my own Mom. I will remember Sandy as generous, smart, fair, fun and decisive. She had a unique approach to so many things. During her illness, she exhibited humor and good will time and again. I saved the last message she left me on my phone and, when I get to missing her, I play that message and listen to her clear, resonant voice.
tribute by Jane Byers