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Sofia B. Desandro
1984 - 2023
Sofia B. Desandro
1984 - 2023
Obituary
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Sofia Desandro Obituary
It is with great sadness that we need to inform people of the passing of Sofia (Sonya) DeSandro - Shull, age 38, of Mundelein, Illinois. Born in Moscow, Russia to Alex and Olga Babushkin on October 4th, 1984, Sofia moved to the United States with parents and sister Maria during the Summer of 1988.
She attended Glenbrook North High School before graduating from Evanston High School Class of 2003, she went on to attend DeVry University in Chicago, graduating Cum Laude in June of 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science-Digital Forensics.
After graduation she worked in food service management before joining Walgreens Corporation as a System Analyst in 2013, and finally finding a home with the Walgreens Space Management Team in a job she not only loved, but in which she made many great friends.
She was a Christian and a true believer in Christ, attending Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois.
If you are going to learn anything from reading this it should be that Sofia was most of all a loving mother, wife, and friend to many. She was kindhearted and always there for others who needed a little help. She had an amazing impact on all of us and her tragic death will have an everlasting effect on all who loved her. She will be greatly missed.
Sofia was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Olga Babushkin. She is survived by her husband Matt, daughter Clara, step children Derek, Kathryn Ann, Jenna Shull, her sister Maria and brother in law Leo, their kids Petra and Andrew and her extended family, Gabe Alston, Austin Maske, and Kenneth Torbeck.
Visitation is from 4-7 PM Thursday January 12, 2023 at the Kristan Funeral Home 219 West Maple Ave. Mundelein, IL. Funeral service will begin at 7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, her friends are requesting that you show support for the family by making a gift on GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/f1d51272
Momoko Hebert
February 8, 2023
Dear Sofia's Family and Loved Ones, I offer my deepest condolences. I regret not being able to pay my respects in person. I was visiting my home-country to spend time with family and friends. I’m still in complete shock and am having trouble coming to grips with such a tragic loss. Sofia and I started on the same team at Walgreens at the same time back in September 2019. We also reported to the same manager for a total of about 2 years. She was so sweet and lovely from the first day we met. She taught me a lot at work, and she was one of our most skilled team members. She was friends with everyone on our team and treated everyone with kindness and respect. Sofia always brightened everyone’s days and put a smile on our faces. I even got the chance to spend time with her and Clara outside of work and got to know her on a more personal level. I learned that she was a person of Faith, and that she was such a generous person both at work and in her personal life. She deeply loved and cared for her family, and she always talked about how wonderful her husband and children are, and I often saw her chatting with her sister on the phone. I also learned that she had been through a lot of hardships in her life, and while she was a sweetheart, she was strong and tough as well, and I respected her tremendously. Sofia was one of a kind, and I will miss her very much. She will forever be in my memories. If there’s anything at all that I can do to support you all during this difficult time, please let me know.
Michelle Minic
January 12, 2023
Sofia was a member of our larger Space Management department. While I did not work closely with her, as I am on a separate sub-team - she was someone everyone in the department knew because of how involved she was with engagement activities for us all. She was always so positive, upbeat, kind, and would be the first to volunteer for anything extra that came up. We will all miss her presence greatly!! To her close friends & family - my deepest condolences to you all. May you all find strength & comfort as you navigate coping with this incredible loss, and continue to feel her love & presence always ❤
Kristen Gornicki
January 12, 2023
Sofia was so upbeat and energetic, she brought laughter and joy into every room she was in! She was thoroughly engaged at work and cared so deeply about everyone's well being and what was going on in their lives. She was a hard worker, always intrigued, wanting to volunteer or be involved. I am so glad I was lucky to know her and work closely with Sofia over the last few months. She brought a positive spin to all situations and made the best of it. Sofia will truly be missed and will forever be part of the Space Management family.
Kristin Rolighed
January 12, 2023
I only knew Sofia for a short time, but she was pure light. Her gracious and welcoming nature helped me feel right at home when I started at Walgreen's and there was always a smile on her face. She will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to your family as you grieve this terrible loss.
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Clarissa Day
January 12, 2023
How lucky we are to have known Sofia! She brought such joy to our work at Walgreens. Some of my favorite memories are from our engagement committee meetings where she always had a hat to match that month’s theme. She and Clara came to my ballet show last spring, and that meant so much to me. I am grateful for Sofia’s faith and the knowledge that she is now in the presence of her Savior.
Baby shower!
Tatiani Kucharski
January 12, 2023
Santa helpers
Tatiani Kucharski
January 12, 2023
Baby shower
Tatiani Kucharski
January 12, 2023
Tatiani Kucharski
January 12, 2023
It was a joy to work with Sofia, she was always a very positive and compassionate person. She did her best to make everyone around happy. I will forever cherish the moments of laughter we had together. My condolences to her family, I hope you find strength in the days ahead!
Tatiani Kucharski
January 12, 2023
It was a joy to work with Sofia, she was always a very positive and compassionate person. She did her best to make everyone around happy. I will forever cherish the moments of laughter we had together. My condolences to her family, I hope you find strength in the days ahead!
Mallary Babica
January 12, 2023
I am unable to attend services due to illness in my home. However, Sofia, quite literally I couldn’t have gotten the experiences and knowledge of my desks without you. You leaned in, you made sure I got work done, you made sure I learned it at the same time. You made work a wonderful place. You made challenges seem like a breeze. You created a home away from home even when we were all working from home. You made every person on the team feel like an important individual and encouraged them to join you in that humble happiness you shed each day in every way. May angels carry you now and remind us that only our sadness will truly pass away. Your life, legacy and spirit will live on in our hearts and memories. I pray you will visit me in spirit to remind me to live in your light and example of kindness and grace here on earth. God bless you my friend, may you be at peace in God’s arms now.
david ingvardsen
January 12, 2023
I so enjoyed Sofia's outgoing nature, she was always so energetic and full of happiness. I remember when we first brought her back into the Walgreens family, transitioning from TCS back to being full time and how happy she was with that move and it was great for us because she was always so engaged, so involved and so very helpful. I truly enjoyed the time her and I spent on calls here and there because if I was having a rough day, i could always count on her glowing spirit to improve my mood. She will be greatly missed.
Lisa Davis
January 12, 2023
Sofia was such a positive person; I don't think I ever heard a negative word come out of her mouth. She was always happy to help and pitch in. She was a great mentor and friendly face to all new hires. She was one of the most engaged people on our team. She was always the person I associate with our team outings, baby showers and wedding showers. She would always be there to join in the fun, enjoy everyone's company and share stories about her family and her daughter (she was so proud of you and love you so much
Marion Balderas
January 11, 2023
Always so warm and welcoming whenever I saw her. Whether in the office or a fun office event. She was truly excited and embraced my daughters when we were all able to join in our engagement events. Sofia was a light like no other.
Sue Meyers
January 11, 2023
Sofia was a constant source of positivity to all of those who knew her. She truly cared for those that she worked with on both a professional and personal level and was always willing to help however she could. Sofia really made an impact on our team when she was part of employee engagement. She took that role very seriously and really wanted to always be sure that others were happy and truly engaged.
Nothing made Sofia happier than spending time with her family and friends. She was always talking about a big family dinner she was preparing for birthdays and holidays throughout the year. She was also so very excited to be involved in all the activities her daughter Clara was exploring in high school.
I send my deepest condolences to Sofia’s family and close friends. I hope that you are able to keep all of the great memories in your heart always.
Holly Hughes
January 10, 2023
In loving memory of a beautiful soul. My daughter in law in my heart forever. I will love you forever and deeply miss you until we meet again precious vibrant spirit.
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