Sandra S. "Sandy" Fawcett

Sandra Sue “Sandy” Fawcett, age 74, of Gnadenhutten, entered into her heavenly reward and was reunited with her beloved husband and son, Monday, December 22, 2025, while in Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital at Dover following a sudden illness.

Born on April 16, 1951, in Twin City Hospital at Dennison, Sandy was a daughter of the late Harold and Dorothy Lee Ritchie. She grew up in Bowerston, Ohio, and was a 1970 graduate of Conotton Valley High School. On June 26, 1971, Sandy married Dave Fawcett, and for 42 years the couple enjoyed raising their family, and sharing life together until Dave’s passing on November 4, 2013.

Sandy worked for a brief time in the office of the former Alsco plant in Gnadenhutten before turning her attention to child and family care. A handful of years later, she, along with her good friend and neighbor, Donna Vermillion, began cleaning the office at Alsco. Sandy later went out on her own as a housekeeper for various families for many years. Among the individuals whom Sandy helped to clean was Jan Thomas, and through the years Sandy and Jan formed a close bond, and Sandy ultimately became Jan’s caregiver in her later years until her passing.

She will forever be remembered for her delicious peanut butter fudge and bran rolls, which were known to her family as “Sandy Rolls”. Nevertheless, if you were to ask anyone who knew Sandy to describe her in just a couple of words, they may use adjectives such as kind, patient, giving, strong-willed, and independent. These words were simply part of her genetic makeup. Her unconditional love of others and willingness to open her family’s home to anyone in need made her house a safe haven and place to land. The children who naturally flocked to her knew that they could always find a place of comfort, peace, and some food on the table. The lessons learned from being around her were immeasurable and were silently taught through her acts of kindness, gentle demeanor, and servant heart.

Sandy had a deep faith in the Lord and was a longtime member of Park Christian Church, where, yet again, she loved being around children, and they naturally gathered around her. Having been involved in many children’s ministries at the church for decades, Sandy served as a youth group leader, nursery worker, and Beginner Church teacher. She also enjoyed countless outings and time spent with the Phoebe’s Friends women’s group.

While the impact of losing her here on Earth will be deeply felt, she will be missed most of all by her family who meant everything to her; daughter Lori (Jose Reyes) Rogers of Gnadenhutten; grandchildren, Cody Rogers, Christian (Alexandria Boffo) Rogers, Maxine (Matt) Jordan, Ester Fawcett, and Antonio Reyes; the additional children God gave to her to care for, Brent Birker and Megan Taylor, her nieces and nephews, and the many lives she touched through her own ministry of love.

In addition to her parents and husband, Dave, Sandy was preceded in death by her son, Todd Fawcett; a sister, Shirley Beehler, and a brother, Jerry Bakes.

A celebration of Sandy’s life will be led by Pastor David Bryan on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 3 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia, with the family greeting guests from 1-3 PM in the funeral home’s chapel. A meal and fellowship will be shared in the Geib Family Center following the service. A private burial will take place at a later date in the Gnadenhutten Clay Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Park Christian Church Kids Kupboard, 236 Miller Avenue, Dennison, Ohio 44621.