Dr. Sandra Winicur

Oct. 4, 1939 - Dec. 8, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Dr. Sandra Winicur-educator, biologist, writer, mother, friend-succumbed to complications from multiple myeloma on Dec. 8, 2012, after battling the disease for more than 20 years. She faced it bravely and with a quiet grace that often belied the difficulty of her struggle, and her manner served as an inspiration to those who knew and loved her. Sandra is survived by her son, Zev Winicur of Indianapolis, IN, and his family: wife, Shirah, and sons, Omri and Micah; and by her daughter, Paula Winicur of New Canaan, CT, and her family: husband, Christopher Madden, and daughter, Tess. Born and raised in the Bronx, Sandra attended the prestigious Bronx High School of Science and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Hunter College, a master's degree from the University of Connecticut, and a doctorate from Cal Tech, all in biology. Following graduate school, she settled in South Bend to teach at Indiana University South Bend. During her more than 30 years as a professor at IUSB (from 1970-2004), Sandra taught a variety of courses that ranged from introductory biology to more specialized offerings, including physiology, biology of aging, biology of women, and the image of women scientists in literature. She also taught biology courses to students attending the nursing school at IUSB. She touched the lives of many students during her tenure, and would often run into those who recalled both her and her courses with great fondness. Sandra was a member of the National Association of Biology Teachers, and she started the Four-Year College Section of the NABT. She received the Indiana University Faculty Colloquium on Excellence in Teaching (FACET) award in 1991, IUSB Distinguished Teaching award in 1992, and Herman Frederic Lieber Award for excellence in teaching in 1993. She also judged science fairs from elementary through high school, including the South Bend Hebrew Day School, and the Northern Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair. She was active in the South Bend Jewish community, and was a member of both Temple Beth-El and Hebrew Orthodox Synagogue. She participated in Torah study groups and Temple book clubs, taught religious school, and taught science at Bais Yaakov Junior High School for girls. As a mother, she filled every day with fun discoveries and adventures. She took this role to heart, not only for her own children, but for all young people she encountered. She was a mentor to many, and helped guide and shape lives and careers. Sandra was also an avid writer and reader who actively engaged both pursuits in the form of writing workshops and book clubs. She excelled at the short-form memoir, in which she related a personal story, more often than not from her youth. Sandra wrote honestly, unflinchingly, and with great humor about the people who shaped her, and in telling their stories, she told her own. Sandra will be greatly missed by her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, her family has asked that donations be made to Temple Beth-El (305 South Madison Street, South Bend, IN 46601), or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (383 Main Avenue, 5th floor, Norwalk, CT 06851, www.themmrf.org). Inspired by them, Sandra and her daughter co-founded the Michiana Multiple Myeloma Support Group in 2008, and it is partly due to the Foundation's tireless work that she was able to be with us for so long. Funeral services will be held today, December 11th, at 1:00 pm at Temple Beth-El; burial afterwards at Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery. To send condolences to the family, log on to www.McGannHay.com.