Obituaries

Sandra Jane Smith

October 26, 1936 - September 29, 2022

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Obituary For Sandra Jane Smith

Madison-Sandra Jane Smith, born on October 26th, 1936, in Madison, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 29th, 2022 at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI. The daughter of Major General Phillips Waller Smith, Sr., and Veronica Bernadette McVeigh. She grew up in many states being in a military family and graduated high school in 1954 from Paris American HS in Paris, France. She received a B.S. in Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She completed advanced graduate coursework throughout her lifetime in many different disciplines. She entered the United States Air Force as an Officer in 1959 to begin her long life of service starting with her service to her country and was an honorably discharged with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. She then began to serve her family devotedly and wholeheartedly for the rest of her life. She had over 20 years of purchasing manager experience, with Heurikon Corporation as a purchasing manager and then she performed duties as the Dane County Purchasing Manager. She was awarded Public Relations Person of the Year in 1986-1987 and Professional Development Person of the Year in 1994. She enjoyed traveling the world her whole life and visited many places, a few favorites were Egypt, Dubai, and New Zealand. Her smile would light up a room; coupled with her unique sense of humor and the never-ending stories of her adventures, warmed hearts. She cherished spending time and doing things with her friends and had a knack for winning at gambling. She shared her vivaciousness of learning and lifetime dedication to improving the lives of thousands of children throughout her years including multiple volunteer teaching trips with the children of the Indigenousness Bara in Australia, decades at the Masonic Learning Center and as a substitute teacher with a special focus on students with special needs in the Madison area schools for 25 years. She treasured her role, giving back to her community as an Aquatic program leader and teaching warm water aerobics at Harbor Athletic Club for 25 years. She had authored and published several articles in national publications. She was the president of Kappa Alpha Theta Alumna Club and served on its advisory board for several decades, she enjoyed her area and regional bridge groups where she earned the level of Ruby Life Master and acquired a vast number of friends that continued to enhance her life daily. She was a proud member of the Women of the Air Force program enjoying many trips to their reunions throughout her years. Her most memorable day of her life was her recent trip with the Badger Honor Flight for Veterans in May 2022 to Washington D.C. She is survived by her children Susanna Vee Weeks of Pineville, LA and Brett William Shropshire of Reno, NV and her sister Ann S. Hartman of Madison, WI; she has numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren and great grandchildren and the best group of life-long friends that anyone could ask for that will continue to feel her great loss. She was proceeded in death by her children Keith Richard Shropshire, Kent Robert Shropshire; her parents Maj. General Phillips W. Smith Sr., Veronica B. McVeigh; her sister Veronica S. Koss and her brother Phillips W. Smith, Jr. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, October 13th, 2022, from 1-4pm at The Vintage Brewing Company; 674 S. Whitney Way Madison, WI; with a Military honors ceremony at 2pm. A special appreciation and gratitude for the entire staff of the VA Medical Hospital in Madison for their awesome care. In Lieu of flowers, PLEASE donate, in her name, to her favorite charity: The Badger Honor Flight for Veterans; 608-616-0243:www.badgerhonorflight.org; ATTN: Treasurer, PO Box 258066, Madison, WI 53725.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road 608-274-1000

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Condolences

  • October 17, 2022

    We will miss you Aunt Sandra! Thank you for positivity and your can-do spirit. We loved getting together whenever we were in Madison and I admired the work you did with special needs children and your years of teaching warm water aerobics. I am also appreciative of your service for our country. Rest in Peace Aunt Sandra, we love you!

  • October 17, 2022

    Aunt Sandra was a special woman who will forever remain in our hearts and memories. I admired Aunt Sandra for her strength, determination, fearlessness, independence, intelligence, work ethic, friendships, and courage throughout her life. The beautiful video tribute shared many aspects of Sandra's wonderful life. Highlights included her family, service, and travels. She travelled her whole life, and had many lovely fabulous adventures around the world. Aunt Sandra, you will forever be in our memory with your contagious laugh and smile. We love you! May you Rest in Peace. Love, Tara Ann and Dan The love of a mother can never be replaced. You carry her in your heart always.

  • October 16, 2022

    Sandy was my Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sister, my roommate, my bridesmaid, and my lifelong friend. we always kept in touch with each other even living far away. I admire her accomplishments, her spirit , her couraage, her zest for life, and her big heart. We had such a lovely long phone conversation just a week before she left us. God Bless her and thank you God for her friendship. Mary (Ricki) McKittrick Ackerman

  • October 15, 2022

    Sandy made my Sunday morning warm water classes so enjoyable. We also met while substitute teaching in Middleton. I will miss her. She was a joy to know.

  • October 15, 2022

    My condolences go out to your family. I met Sandy at UW Whitewater in a class we both had and we became instant friends. We even went to Vegas together on spring break. She will always hold a special place in my heart. I miss her already. Stacy Stubbe Granick

  • October 15, 2022

    I will greatly miss my Aunt Sandra and her wit, humor, enthusiasm for life, and her warmth. Love, Lisa

  • October 13, 2022

    I played bridge with Sandy. She was always kind about mistakes and fun to play with. I will miss her presence at the table. Maggie Dugan

  • October 13, 2022

    I miss my indefatigable Aunt Sandra. She enjoyed traveling and meeting new people, but also cherished spending time with family and friends. She would often call me to express concern for her sister Ann, my mother, and we would end up having a great conversation covering many interesting topics. I am thankful for her dedication to serving and making this great country of ours safer. I am grateful that she received recognition for her service with the beautiful memory quilt and the trip this year to Washington DC. I wish I could be there to lend my support to family and friends today in person. Peace be with my family and friends. I love you Aunt Sandra. Rest in peace. Love Jeni

  • October 12, 2022

    A light has gone out in the world. This candle will honor Sandy's memory. A friend, Dolores Kester

  • October 12, 2022

  • October 10, 2022

    I was Sandy's weekly bridge partner for many years. We chatted often about her many travels. I am sorry I will not be able to make her memorial service, but I will be offering up a toast and fond remembrance from a cafe in Zagreb, Croatia.

  • October 06, 2022

    The service from your loved one will never be forgotten from the continued memories by you and your family. Keep them in your heart and always cherish the service they provided for all of us to live comfortably and enjoy our beautiful country. Please accept my sincere condolences on the behalf of the Badger Honor Flight family on the loss of your fallen hero.

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