"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever." –A.A. Milne

Sandra Lee Blair, from Palm Coast, Florida, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She was 59 years old. She's preceded in death by her parents, Linda and Theodore "Casper" Burger. She's survived by her devoted husband of 39 years, Todd Blair; her children, Samantha (Robert) Stansell and Joshua (Julianne) Blair; and her three adored grandchildren, Bailey, Everett, and Easton. We're comforted in knowing our angel on Earth has now grown her wings.

Sandi was born December 7, 1963 in Bradford, Pennsylvania. There, she grew up, attending Bradford Area High School, Slippery Rock University, and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. She received an Associate in Nursing. July 23, 1983, she married Todd Blair in Derrick City, Pennsylvania.

Sandi's 37-year-long career caring for others began as a nurse in Las Vegas in 1984. As a proud military spouse, she had the opportunity to work in hospitals all over the country, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, and Florida. She was very proud of her time as a registered nurse at Edwards Air Force Base in California where she was part of the Shuttle Recovery Team for NASA. Once settled in Florida, she received a Bachelor's in Healthcare Management at Daytona State College.

A lifelong animal lover, Sandi had a particular fondness for basset hounds and was ready to fight Todd for the remote each Thanksgiving to turn on the National Dog Show. She and Todd made amazing memories traveling to South Africa, Australia, and Scotland, and when she was too sick to travel, Todd brought the experiences to her—even having bagpipers play outside her hospital window. Her grandchildren always brought a smile to her face, and she loved spending time with them and celebrating every one of their achievements.

After receiving her diagnosis in early 2020, Sandi participated in several medical studies to advance ALS research in hopes of finding a cure. She also volunteered her former daughter-in-law, Jamie Lewis, to write a children's book to help her grandkids and others understand ALS. Sandi and her youngest grandson, Easton, became the main characters in the illustrated book, And Love Speaks, which has now made its way into homes and schools all over the world. Her final act of selflessness was donating her vital organs to further ALS research after her passing. Sandi spent her life giving back to others, and her impact will carry on forever.

We will be celebrating her life on Friday, January 27, 2023, 1:30 p.m., at Lohman's Funeral Home (220 Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32137). In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Sandi's name to any of the below organizations:

The ALS Association

Team Gleason

Hope Loves Company