Sandra Anne Compisi

Sandra Anne Compisi, inspirational sister, mother, Nana, teacher, friend and earthly angel passed away on Monday, June 19 at the young age of 80. She died peacefully with her family by her side after her brave fight with cancer. While she may have departed us in the physical sense, those who knew her understand that her presence will live on forever.

Sandy was predeceased by her mother, the Original Nana, Martha Kelley and her father, the great Chairman Emeritus, Alva, “Pap” Kelley. Sandy is also being reunited with her brother David Kelley who passed away in 2020. Her legacy includes her brother Tim Kelley, son Christopher Compisi (Julie), daughter Kathleen Glennon (John) and son Michael Compisi (Jeanne). Sandy’s passion for her children was matched only by her love for her grandchildren: Devyn, Nicolas, Johnny, Joey, Jake, Owen and Tessa and an amazing cast of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews who loved her dearly that complete a family picture of awesomeness.

Sandy, born in Troy, NY, was the daughter of a die-hard football coach whose career took them all over New England and New York state with stops in Ithaca, NY, New Haven, CT, Providence, RI, Hamilton NY, and ultimately to Geneva, NY. The transient nature of her youth helped to shape a strong, independent and caring person who was able to integrate into any situation. She endeared herself to people who knew her and even to those who did not through an ease of conversation she acquired as a youth and that manifested into a natural ability to make people feel comfortable and loved.

Sandy married Anthony (Tony) Compisi in1966 and proceeded to continue her travels to Germany where their first child, Christopher was born. Sandy and Christopher lived in Orlando during Tony’s tour of duty in Vietnam. The Army tour next took them to San Juan, Puerto Rico where their daughter Kathleen (AKA Kacey) was born. After leaving the Army, the family moved to Buffalo, NY, where their third child, Michael joined the family. Sandy focused on raising her children as a dedicated homemaker until 1983 when she began teaching Junior High at Mother of Sorrows School in Rochester, NY. Sandy taught the 7th and 8th grade students there with a dedicated passion. To this day, when Chris, Kacey or Mike run into her former students they all say she was the best teacher they ever had and imparted incredible influence on their lives. After 10 years of teaching, she transitioned to working in customer care positions at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield and later to a pediatric physician practice where her work ethic and caring compassion distinguished her. She always put so much effort into everything she did, and those around her could not help but be inspired by her commitment and care. Throughout all her travels and experiences, Sandy was incredibly grounded in her faith. Throughout her life she volunteered and supported the faith formation of youth as a religious education teacher, confirmation catechist and enthusiastic supporter playing the role of “Grandma Sandy/Nana Glennon” to many.

Sandy’s battle over the past few months was fought with tremendous grace and bravery. She placed her fate in God’s hands and trusted in His divine care.

It is really difficult to try to encapsulate the life of such an incredible person like Sandy Compisi. When Sandy passed, we as a family all toasted her life and asked every family member to say one word that they felt described Sandy. The words they shared were brave, faithful, nurturing, caring, thoughtful, giving, strong-willed, supportive, beautiful and loving. It is that last word, love, that is the essence of Sandy. She loved like it was the only thing that mattered. She touched so many people with her kindness and made a true difference in their lives. Sandy will be missed terribly, but her spirit lives on within all of us who were fortunate enough to be touched by her grace.

We will be celebrating the life of Sandra Anne Compisi with a memorial Mass on Friday, June 23 at 11:00AM at St. Mary’s Church of Mokena, IL. The family will host a Sandy-celebration on Saturday, June 24 at 3.00PM at the home of Kacey and John Glennon, 521 Tanglewood Lane Frankfort, IL 60423.

The family will perform a rite of Christian burial later this summer in Geneva, NY where Sandy will be laid to rest next to her mother and father, Martha and Alva Kelley.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations or gifts be contributed to Lightways Hospice and Critical Care Center in Joliet, IL (https://lightways.org/donate/memorial-gifts/) where Sandy spent her final days under the incredible, compassionate and professional care of the staff.