Sandra Dwyer Navratil

Sandra Lynn (Dwyer) Navratil unexpectedly passed away August 17, 2025 from a blood clot in her lungs that ultimately stopped her heart. Sandy was so special; a vibrant, full of life, intelligent, creative, thoughtful, funny, adventurous, dedicated, tenacious, and fierce woman. An incredible Mom, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, dog mom, and cat "grammy".

She was born December 8, 1955, and grew up in Royal Oak, MI with her parents and four older siblings. She married Terry Navratil at St. Columban Church on September 3, 1988, and had two daughters: Ashley and Andrea.

Sandy attended Dondero High School (class of 1974) and graduated with her bachelor's degree from Walsh College. She worked for Kmart for many years before taking time off to devote to her true passion: her family. She eventually returned to working outside the home first at Flagstar Bank then finally at Payroll 1/Global Payment Systems where she happily retired from in 2019 to live an exciting, travel filled, fun loving life.

Sandy did everything! She belonged to many clubs: the Troy Newcomers Club, Troy Garden Club, parish organizations through St. Columban, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and most recently St. Jane Frances de Chantal, various meet up groups, as well as proudly belonging to the Beaumont Health Club's community.

After the sudden passing of her husband, Terry in October 2017, she had a realization that anything could happen at any time so the time to live is now. She amazingly took a terrible situation and turned it into her strength with a new outlook on life and didn't waste a moment. She always loved to travel, specifically cruising, around the world. She was so active; always riding her bike, catching a yoga class, or walking her dog, Murphy. Sandy loved spending time with her girls, her family, her dog, and her friends. She exceeded in art and loved scrapbooking. Sandy also loved playing games especially euchre. Ashley and Andrea will always be so grateful for having a strong, resilient role model to guide them through life and will continue to follow her lead and embrace every moment.

Sandy is survived by her daughters, Ashley and Andrea; brothers, Mike and Gary Dwyer; nieces, Jenny Grant and Vicki (Scott) White along with other extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Terry; parents, Madelyn and William Dwyer; siblings, Bill Jr. and Sharon; niece, Dawn Steckroth; in-laws, Mary and Harold Navratil; sister-in-law, Michelle Anderson; and her precious pup, Maggie.

Family will receive friends, Thursday, August 21, 2025, 2-8pm with a Rosary at 7pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, (btwn Maple & Big Beaver), Troy. 248-362-2500.

Funeral Mass Friday, August 22, 2025, 10am, at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, 38750 Ryan Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48310. Visitation at church begins 9:30am. Interment Guardian Angel Cemetery.