Funeral Details

Leah Darlene Sandri

October 5, 1983 - September 14, 2023

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM

Graveside

Willow Lawn Memorial Park
24090 North Highway 45
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60060
Get Directions

Clergy

Rabbi David Oler

Shiva

Sandri Residence
30586 North Gossell Road
Wauconda, Illinois 60084
847.363.7896
Get Directions
Sunday upon return from the cemetery

Memorial Contributions

The Aplastic Anemia
and MDS International Foundation
4330 East West Highway, Suite 230
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
www.aamds.org
or
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38105
www.stjude.org
or
Save-A-Pet
PO Box 266
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
www.saveapetil.org
and
PLEASE consider donating or registering in the database as a potential life saving bone marrow donor at www.bethematch.org




OBITUARY

Leah Darlene Sandri, nee George-Baskin, age 39, beloved wife of Jason Sandri. Loving mother of Harris and Ambrose Sandri. Cherished daughter in law of Sharon Sandri and niece of Darlene George Craig, Paul M George (Norman Bach), John M George (Judy George), and Carl Baskin (Karin Baskin). Preceded in death by her parents Glen and Lorrie George-Baskin. Caring sister in law of Brian Sandri, and Kevin Sandri (Sarah Sandri). Loved aunt of Kora Reuter (Tyler Reuter and Edelweiss Reuter), Owen Sandri and Ella Sandri. And eternally loved friend to many.

This is incredibly difficult and painful to write, but the strength required to write it still is not one iota of the strength that Leah possessed.
The beloved mother of our children Harris and Ambrose, my beautiful loving wife, the woman who I was lucky enough to have choose me to be her soul mate, the strongest, kindest, most beautiful soul who gifted me our beautiful children and the best years of my life—Leah – passed away Thursday morning, September 14th, at 11 am.

Those of you who knew Leah understand her unbounded spirit and heart. I do not at this moment have the same strength of heart and wit as she to fully and deservedly eulogize her, nor will I ever fully be capable of putting into words the countless ways that we loved her, miss her, and how she made myself and everyone around her a better human being. Inevitably, life will never be the same.

In our wedding vows nearly fifteen years ago, I told Leah that she was my better half. I have learned that she was indeed the half of our marriage that made me a better everything. I also told her that I would always protect her. I failed in that promise, and never anticipated the many things I truly could not protect her from. For the past two years, Leah had been battling Aplastic Anemia, an extremely rare bone marrow autoimmune disease. She had the strength of a legion of warrior goddesses, but even she, the strongest warrior goddess whom I have ever known, was overtaken by this terrible disease. She fought every single moment she was able, through situations, events, pain, and anguish that most people would surrender to at the thought of. She fought until the final second to get home to her boys. She did not give up, and I hope she knows that she owes no apologies and that she failed nothing and no one. Everyone knows and understands the strength that she had, and what ferocity she fought with. In the years to come Harris and Ambrose will fully know and understand as well. She gave them the same heart and strength that she possessed.
Words cannot express how much Leah is loved, and how much she will be missed. The flame of a candle is understood to be momentary, yet even so, Leah’s light was extinguished far too soon. The world is a darker place without her, but the light that she brought to it will never be extinguished while she lives through us.

While words are not enough to express how much Leah is loved and how much she will be missed, your memories and thoughts of Leah are most welcome here. Let us celebrate her life by remembering her, and in doing so help Harris and Ambrose understand the many facets of this beautiful soul, who was so proud to be their mother.

Graveside service Sunday, 11 AM Willow Lawn Cemetery, 24090 North Highway 45, Vernon Hills, IL 60060. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation www.aamds.org, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, Save-A-Pet, www.saveapetil.org and PLEASE consider donating or registering in the database as a potential life saving bone marrow donor at www.bethematch.org. To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Buffalo Grove Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Leah Darlene Sandri below and we will share them with the family.
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Leah,

The moment we met at Cub scouts I knew we were kindred souls. You were so funny and such a good mom. I loved seeing you at scout events, in fact I always looked forward to seeing your smiling face! I can't explain how much of a blessing it was to know you. You were so strong and so determined to be there for your family. The world truly has lost one of the most beautiful souls I've ever encountered.

I would love the chance to hug you one last time.

Jennifer Caponigri
September 16, 2023
Jason, please know my whole family is thinking of you and yours right now. I wish I could be there for my very first neighborhood best friend, Leah and her beautiful family. I have so many memories From our early years. She was my rock while my very young mother partied. Leah had a basement that had a window level with the ground that she could kinda open. We would take turns riding her little big wheels or whatever it was around the window and we played drive-through. I would place the order at the basement window and ride the tricycle to the front of the porch where she would pass me my fake order through the mail slot. we went camping once and there was a big tram that went down to a lake and we would ride right up and down the tram all day I remember there was a huge nest of hornets on the way to the lake and Leah assured me it was fine and even though I was terrified, she was so practical saying "we'll leave them alone and they'll leave us alone"
We played "save the whales" and sang The little mermaid song into a toy her mom Lori got her that had a speaker and microphone. Thanks to Leah, I've enjoyed piano my entire life and although she wasn't a huge fan of her lessons, thanks to her, I was able to learn to play. And have ever since. We never reconnected, not yet anyway and, I'll regret that until we meet again. But she touched my life early on and stayed with me. Even at this very moment her giggle can still be heard in the chamber of my memories. Words can't express what she meant to you Jason and your children. Our thoughts and prayers and souls are with you and your babies. Please reach out if you ever need anything. You have family you've never even met because of that beautiful woman!!

Dionna Cloonan
September 16, 2023
I am so saddened to hear of this! She was an amazing friend, mother, wife. She was passionate, loyal, and this world will be dimmer without her light. She and her family will be in my thoughts for the rest of my days.

Emilie Henning
September 16, 2023
I am so saddened to hear of Leah's passing. I was fortunate to have worked with Leah at Pfizer. She was so smart, kind, and fierce for her love of her family. She was a warrior daughter, mom, wife, friend, and colleague. She was passionate about doing good and doing right in this world. I will miss her spirit and kindness. Rest peacefully, Leah, and know that you will live on in the beautiful boys you created.

Kim Vandegrift
September 16, 2023
Dear Leah's family

I worked with Leah on a project and we had become friends having great conversations. She was a listener and confidant during my divorce. She was a positive, spirited, kind, intelligent soul that will be greatly missed. I know her family was everything to her. Rest in peace Leah.

Marsha Morley
September 16, 2023
Jason, Harris, Ambrose,
I am deeply sorry and heart broken for all of you. Leah was an amazing woman, mother, wife and friend. She will be greatly missed by so many, but most importantly by her three favorite guys.
I will never forget the time that Cj and I took Leah dispersed camping, we cut branches for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. The first time she brushed her teeth, she asked where she could spit, I said anywhere but on my feet. It was a true honor to know and love her.

Jamie Seaton
September 17, 2023
Leah's Family
I got the opportunity to meet and work with Leah at Pfizer, she was always greeting everyone with a smile. A smart, creative and committed professional, but most importantly a loving and caring individual. I remember Leah taking care of a newborn Ambrose while virtually attending a call. How amazingly she could juggle both roles with grace and commitment.
I also remember how she jumped at the opportunity of hosting our weekly virtual "happy hours". She told me "Mercedes let's make sure no one feels like they are alone". So to her boys I said that was the type of person your momma was . A generous individual that thought of others not feeling alone . To her husband and the rest of the family she adore . I hope her strength lives through you, please accept my sincere condolences. Leah will be truly missed !

Mercedes Sodi
September 17, 2023
I am Leah's backup at Pfizer and have been looking forward to her return to work. I also worked with Leah at Baxter. She has been an i inspiration to me believing and encouraging me when I needed it most. She was such an amazing woman. Hard worker, such a witty and good sense of humor, great listener, great mom. With the passing of her parents over the last few years I prayed for Gods grace on her . She has been through so
Much. I am shocked and saddened never dreaming it would end this way. We all loved seeing the boys appear occasionally on webex during work calls. Her excitement looking and eventually buying their dream house and all the renovations. She was taken way too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with Jason, the boys and grandma. She will be incredibly missed.

Nicole Lewis
September 17, 2023
I worked with Leah at Pfizer. She was an incredible person, one who would always make time to help others and always had a positive attitude and a smile even during stressful and uncertain situations. I am very sad to hear the news of her passing and my thoughts and prayers are with her family (and especially her young boys) during such a difficult time. Rest in peace, Leah, and may her memory be eternal.

Betsy Tzavaras
September 18, 2023
I had the pleasure of working with Leah at Pfizer and am deeply saddened by the news of her passing. She was a bright spirit, a hard worker, and you could always hear her smile when she spoke during even the most challenging phone calls. She had a great attitude in her approach to the fight she faced and even took the opportunity and time to educate her coworkers on Aplastic Anemia. My thoughts and love go out to her family. May the memories bring you comfort & time bring you peace. Rest in love, Leah.

Tracy Zuziak
September 18, 2023
Dear Leah's Family,

I had the pleasure of working with Leah for the last five years. She put great care into her career and her family. Leah consistently impressed with her enthusiasm for problem solving, ensuring just and equitable treatment of others whenever there was an issue. She loved taking on challenges, often times going well beyond expectations. She was a great teacher and never left anyone behind and took time to ensure everyone understood what her objectives were and why she was approaching a challenge a certain way. When situations were tough, she was tougher and was not one to back down from adversity. She was also a great listener and provider of encouragement when the team around her needed it.
She was very proud of her work and her family- often times sharing pictures of the house projects, charity events, or stories from her "weekends with the boys". She cherished that time and was building an ideal environment for her children to thrive, in a grand and traditional way. We know her spirit will live on with her family and friends and hope that we can all make such a grand impact on this world before leaving it. Rest in Peace Leah

Andrew Pasch
September 18, 2023
To Leah's Family,

I had the pleasure of working with Leah for many years at Pfizer. Not only was she one of the most intelligent, dedicated and talented colleagues I have worked with, she was also always so positive, witty, and hilarious. Truly one of my favorite people I have ever had the opportunity to work with. She was one of those people who brightened your day just by being in her presence and inspired you to work just as hard as she did. We had quite a few late night discussions that started about work, but then we would get into our personal lives and bonded over similar upbringings, dealing with the passing of both our parents, and she told me about her beautiful boys. You could tell she was someone who loved deeply and was passionate about anything important to her. I was also in awe of how she approached her rare disease and her tenacity to not let it get her down. I am so saddened to learn of her passing. She was such a bright light and had a positive impact on everyone around her.

I am sending my deepest condolences to all of her loved ones. Leah will be greatly missed.

Rest easy, Leah. I will miss you, my friend.

Caryn Wiencek
September 18, 2023
Leah was an awesome colleague who had so much authenticity and grit. Rest in power Leah. So sorry for your loss. Harris and Ambrose, your mom was super proud of you and wanted you to learn to swim on your own. She put that on priority.

Vesper Ramos
September 19, 2023
I went to high school with Leah and Jason. I am so sorry to hear of Leah's passing, and will be keeping Jason and their children in my prayers.

Krista Mitchell (Wurtz)
September 22, 2023