Sandra Ann Simmons

Sandra Ann Simmons, age 81 of Westland, Michigan passed away on July 9, 2026. Sandi grew up in a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She was born to Arthur and Viola Liimatainen (Leaman) in 1945 and attended the same school in Mass City from kindergarten until she graduated in 1963 with 23 cherished classmates. While in school, Sandi played the saxophone in the band and sang in the school chorus beginning a lifelong love of music - enjoying artists from the Beatles to Eminem. On the day after her 18th birthday, Sandi entered the Air Force and went to basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. She is a proud veteran and a member of the American Legion. The Air Force taught her the accounting and bookkeeping skills she used throughout her career until she stopped working in 2024. While in the Air Force, she married and began life as a military mom and stepmom. Pamela was born in California, followed by Julie in Utah, and Heather in South Carolina. After her divorce in 1978, Sandi moved with her daughters to Michigan, to begin life as a single mom of three. In true SISU spirit, with her Finnish heritage on full display, she raised her girls with smarts and a little bit of sass. That courage and determination helped her defeat both breast and lung cancer later in life. Sandi enjoyed softball, bowling, and golf, and was adamant that she once ran track in a past life. She loved watching the Olympics, the Masters, Wheel of Fortune, General Hospital, enjoyed following the space shuttle missions, and traveled to Florida to watch a launch. She loved having lunches with the golf ladies and her Alexander’s crew. She adored her feline babies, two sphynx kitties named Gaia and Luka. They brought her much love and joy, and plenty of cat-chaos. She is survived by her siblings, Shirley (Larry) Merz and Mike (Sandy) Coffey; her daughters: Pam (John) Dionne, Julie (Leigh) ReBeau, and Heather (Sean) Simmons; and stepsons David (Deb) Simmons and Tim (Debbie) Simmons. She is the beloved grandmother to Joshua, Devin, Megan, Kylie (Jacob), Jessica (Vince), Chase (Luka), Hayden, and a great-grandson on the way. Sandi also leaves behind many treasured extended family members and lifelong friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Viola Leaman, grandson Baby John, stepdaughter Cathy Simmons, and her brother, John Leaman. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 11am-3pm at Captain Joe’s. 9901 Main Street, Whitmore Lake, Michigan. Come ready to share memories and laughter. No flowers please because…well, cats. Arrangements entrusted with Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, Westland. To share a memory, please use the Share a Memory tab on this web page.

Sandra Ann Simmons

June 23, 1945 - July 9, 2026