Sandra Jane Kotulis, February 10, 1945 - May 6, 2017.

Sandra Jane Kotulis was the third child born of very proud parents, John Kotulis and Dorothy (Steinhebel) Kotulis at North Detroit General Hospital in Detroit on February 10, 1945 of Slovak and German descent. She was blessed with exceptional parents who always put their children first and who believed that their daughters should go to college, as well as their son. From her parents she learned to do as they did and not just what they said. They were loving and dedicated to their family, nurturing and intelligent . They modeled taking care of others before yourself and to not shy away from hard work. Sandi learned these lessons and never shied away from hard work and trying to fix things herself, like rewiring a lamp or yard work.

Sandi was inseparable from her big brother Ron. They would always be there to support each other. When Ron passed away in 2015, she was devastated and often missed his presence in her daily life. Her second older brother, Thomas John, was born in 1941 and sadly only lived for one day. Sandi and her two younger sisters, Judy and Karen, were always a closely knit trio. Rarely apart from family, she enjoyed talking regularly with them on the phone and planning get-togethers.

As a young student at Katherine B. White Elementary, she quickly gained the reputation of an A+ scholar and artist. Her drawing talent became widely known and she was asked to create Christmas illustrations for each classroom door in grade school. Her major artistic task was a wall-sized mural in the White School library. The mural remained in the library for decades. Later in life, her classrooms were always decorated with beautiful and creative bulletin boards. She loved relaxing and coloring in holiday coloring books and would always pass the coloring books around for family and friends to join at parties. Those books contain many happy memories as she would always require the colorer to sign and date their picture. Those who have received cards from Sandi would recognize her beautifully illustrated envelopes matching the cards within.

Sandi grew up with a passion for all things science and nature. Her favorite classes were in science and later further educated herself to become a teacher specializing in teaching microbiology and human anatomy. She would name the Latin botanical name for every possible green growing thing spotted and would reminisce about her college botany classes to the bog where students were known to sink in and contract poison ivy.

Sandi had a very inquiring mind. Her father, John, was a tool and die-maker by profession and taught his son and daughters to use many tools including bench saws and metal lathes. In high school the senior class took an exam for the Army in science and mechanics. When the officer came to the school to present the top student award everyone was surprised it actually went to a girl - Sandi.

Sandi graduated as valedictorian from St. Augustine High School in 1963. She received a full scholarship to Sienna Heights College, where she completed a Bachelor of Science before going on to complete a Master of Science in Biology from Wayne State University and a Master of Arts in the Teaching of Mathematics from the University of Detroit.

A lover of animals from an early age, Sandi doted on the creatures in her care. During her tenure as a laboratory assistant at Wayne State, she made the treacherous trek downtown in the middle of an ice storm and power outage to ensure her wards – rats, mice, gerbils, and a three-toed sloth – were warm and fed. Her house always resounded with the sounds of happy animals spread across three stories, a menagerie that delighted her nieces and nephews. She had many pets during her lifetime and leaves behind two finches, a canary and a 14 year old salamander which will all be lovingly cared for my her family. Her favorite breed of dog was her beloved Wire-haired Fox Terriers, Scamp and Foxy.

Her lifelong goal was to educate others and share her love of science and learning. She taught eighth grade mathematics and science at St. Alfred School in Taylor, Michigan for thirty years, retiring in 2007. She also worked as an adult education instructor for Taylor Public Schools, and served as a professor of microbiology and human anatomy at Wayne County Community College, where she was voted outstanding faculty member. She received a Teacher of the Year commendation for her work in Taylor. Her student reviews abound with superlatives, perhaps none more telling than the following: " She is a teacher. It's in her DNA. When she speaks, you understand." She also worked an assistant in the Heritage Hospital Pharmacy for a decade during this time.

Sandi's took great pride in seeing her nieces and nephews succeed as well as her students. Traveling anywhere in Taylor with her inevitably meant happily catching up with former students who had just gotten married or been accepted to medical school. It was not unusual for multiple generations in a single family to fondly recognize "Ms. K."

Sandi was a perfectionist. Everything she did was done well and organized.  Her yard and home were meticulously cared for.  Her lawn and garden always lush and well maintained.  Even in her retirement she could not sit and relax on a lounge chair in the yard if one weed or leaf revealed itself.

Sandi was a devout Roman Catholic her whole life. She regularly attended mass and faithfully prayed the rosary and  the Divine Acts of Mercy Prayer each day.

Sandi passed away from complications following gallbladder surgery. She will be greatly missed by her two sisters, her five nieces and nephews and six great nieces and nephews, many students and friends.

For Sandi, life was an expression of love for the world and those who inhabit it, made manifest in her service to others. We remember her as a teacher, a caretaker, a sister, and aunt, a friend.

She will be constantly in our thoughts and prayers.

" To live in the hearts of others is to never die in those we leave behind."

- Carl Sagan