Sandra "Sandi" Stein

Sandra “Sandi” Stein, 78, of Kankakee, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Sandi was born on April 11, 1944 in Chicago to Wayne and Francis Cole. On August 14, 1982, she married Cliff Stein in Kankakee, Illinois. She was a graduate of Governor’s State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She worked at many agencies in the healthcare industry, including Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California, and was a lifelong member of AORN (Association of Operating Room Nurses), and retired from her nursing career at St. Mary’s Hospital. Sandi spent part of her childhood living in Chicago in an apartment atop of an Italian deli. This is likely what inspired her love of cooking, as well as the time she spent with her Sicilian grandparents. Sandi also enjoyed taking care of the people she loved. Her love for her family was the glue that held everything together after her mother’s passing. She became the mother figure to her younger siblings, Bryan and Joy, and embraced the challenge of caring for them at such a young age. One of the things Sandi enjoyed the most in life was being a mother, first to Joy and Bryan, then later in life to Beth, Dale, and Scott. She spent part of her life in Florida, living a very active and charitable lifestyle. She loved riding her bike, baking and delivering cinnamon rolls to her neighbors, and was involved in many clubs, such as the Hobbie Club, Pink Ladies, Knitting Club, and Quilting Club. The Pink Ladies were proud of the donations they collected in support of St. Jude’s Children’s hospital and, similarly, the Knitting Club made warm and wonderful headwear for female local cancer patients. The Quilting Club also played an important role in Sandi’s charitable acts, designing, sewing, and donating quilts to various organizations, which would then be auctioned off in support of such causes. Her weeks were filled with Tuesday card nights, frequent swims at the pool, and plenty of beach time with her flip flops and freshly painted toes. Sandi was very proud of her nursing role, loved baking, especially homemade Christmas cookies to send to her family and friends, and spending time with the people she loved. She will be dearly missed. Sandi is survived by her sister, Joy Cole of San Diego, California; her stepchildren, Dale (Robin) Stein of Bend, Oregon and Beth (Shea) Stein-Walters of Aroma Park, Illinois; two nieces, Crystal Walker of San Diego, California and Ashley Evans of Greensboro, North Carolina; eight grandchildren, Jen (Shane) Kimball of Kamas, Utah, Kim (Cheyenne) Stein of Ogden, Utah, Ryan (Amber) Walters of Danforth, Illinois, Aedan Stein of Beaverton, Oregon, Caelan Stein of Corvallis, Oregon, Kayla Walters of Aroma Park, Illinois, Chase Stein of Aroma Park, Illinois, and Meghan Stein of Aroma Park, Illinois; two great granddaughters; three great grandsons; two great nieces; and one great nephew. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cliff Stein of Kankakee; her brother, Bryan Cole of San Diego, California; and her stepson, Scott Stein of Perry, Utah. Visitation will be held at Jensen Funeral Home of Kankakee on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 from 3:00PM – 6:00PM, with a short memorial service beginning at 6:00PM. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the wishes of the family, as they would like to continue their mother’s support of St. Jude’s Children’s hospital. Checks may be made payable to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. Donations may be made online at stjude.org/donate.

Sandra "Sandi" Stein

April 11, 1944 - July 23, 2022