Sandra Jarvis Lilly

Sandra Jarvis Lilly passed away peacefully in the early morning of 30 December 2010. She had struggled with bouts of cancer for nearly 24 years. During all that time, Sandra remained highly active in her profession and completely devoted to her loving family. Her husband, Mike Lilly, son, James Lilly, and sister, Sharon Thomas, were by her side during the difficult final days, hours and minutes. Sandra was born in the small town of Maloy, Iowa, and spent her early childhood there. She grew up with the solid values of her family, and by nature, possessed a good and kind heart. She was interested in the airplanes that occasionally flew over and wondered what their destination might be. It seemed to her a most exciting proposition to travel in such a way and dreamed of one day doing just that. After attending Iowa State University, she flew to Washington DC where she was hired by the Center for Naval Analysis, which is a “think tank” serving the US Navy. She later worked for the Hughes Malibu Research Center and still later was administrative assistant to the President of Aviation Power Supply. It is notable that letters of recommendation cited her exceptional skills, and incidentally, her gracious manner and “front office appearance”. Having married Mike in 1969, and six years later giving birth to her son, James, her interests turned to child raising and finding out how one might become effective in guiding a child along a successful path. This interest broadened over the years, and in addition to her existing BS in Economics, she earned a MA in Educational Psychology and was employed by LAUSD to teach Parent Education. She did much good and often received effuse praise from parents for the guidance she gave them. Sandra enjoyed her work and knew its relevance. After 15 years, on December 3rd of this year, her illness prompted retirement from teaching. She will be sorely missed. Besides Sandra’s husband and son, she leaves behind her wonderful mother, Ruth Jarvis, of Story City, Iowa, a brother, Ronald Jarvis and his wife, Mary, of West Hartford, Connecticut; their three children, Susan Hess, James Jarvis, and Elaine Heilemann, sisters Sharon Thomas of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her two children, Jennifer Hepler and Mitchell Thomas, and sister Linda Knowlton of Buckeye, Arizona. Also left are stepson, Michael Lilly and his wife, Carol, of Carrollton, Texas, and their three children, Christopher, Caroline and Clayton, and stepdaughter, Janet Glass, of Franklin, Tennessee. Sandra was predeceased by her older brother, James Jarvis, by just two weeks. James left behind his wife Roma and three sons: Kevin, Steven and Bruce. Also remaining are two aunts for which Sandra had great fondness: Doris South of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, and Nerine Hagestrom of Goose Creek, South Carolina. There is also a multitude of cousins. There are other nieces and nephews from her husband’s family whom Sandra bore a good deal of positive influence and whom she dearly loved and enjoyed. They are Michael Elias of Westlake Village, Stacey Elias of Ventura, Tammy Haggard of Ojai, Maurice Elias of Ojai, Erin Elias of Woodland Hills, Kim Belleu of Oxnard, Robin Peters of Simi Valley, Beth Sandifer of San Diego, and Jacqueline Geiger of Simi Valley. Where is Sandra now? She is in the arms of a merciful God. A Memorial Service for Sandra will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 East Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 MEMORIAL DONATIONS Memorial donations can be made to Sandra’s favorite charity, MEND, at http://www.mendpoverty.org/donation.html