Sandra Lee "Sandy" Brendel

1946 - 2024

Sandra ""Sandy"" Lee Brendel, 77, of 1973 Montmorenci Road, Ridgway, went to her eternal rest in Heaven on April 2, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family, following a lengthy illness.

Born on November 30, 1946, in Ridgway, Sandy was the daughter of the late Rosella (Moline) Streich and Freddie J. Streich. Sandy was a 1964 graduate of Ridgway Area High School. On September 9, 1967, Sandy married the love of her life, Ben Brendel, at St. Leo Magnus Catholic Church.

Sandy worked part-time through the years at the former Ridgway Market Basket and the former St. Mary's Eckerd Drug, retiring in 1997 to become a full-time homemaker. She was a religious education teacher for many years at St. Leo Magnus Catholic Church of Ridgway, was past president of the TOPS Club of St. Mary's, and was a member of St. Leo Magnus Catholic Church and First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ridgway.

Sandy loved shopping, telephone conversations with family and friends, watching ""Westerns"" on television, as well as reading mystery books and World War II love stories. But above all, Sandy especially loved her family. Sandy was devoted to her husband, Ben of 56 ½ years; her children, Darrin and Julie; and her grandchildren, Mitchell and Vanessa. Her grandchildren, whom she referred to as her ""sunbeams"", were the light of her life, bringing her an incredible amount of happiness. Sandy experienced great joy visiting her children and grandchildren in San Diego, California and even greater joy when they came to visit her.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Ben; her two children, Darrin Brendel of San Diego, CA and Julie Gardner of San Diego, CA; her two grandchildren, Mitchell Gardner and Vanessa Gardner of San Diego, CA; her stepfather, Freddie Streich of Ridgway; her two sisters, Georgetta (Steven) Bishop of Pittsfield, PA and Teresa (Paul) Streich Clark of Fairfield, PA; and her brother, Luke Streich of Ridgway. She is also survived by five brothers-in-law: Jerome Brendel, John (Sandy) Brendel, Dave Brendel, Michael Brendel, and Steve (Trish) Brendel; and a sister-in-law: Georgianne Bauer.

In addition, Sandy is survived by a dear cousin, Travis Larkin, of Temecula, CA; many beloved nieces and nephews, including cherished relationships with God Child, Ann (John) Brendel Weis of Jacksonville, NC, Luke Streich Jr. of State College, PA, and Connie (Chris) Zaffino, Brianna Zaffino and Spencer Zaffino of Warren, PA; and four close friends that include: Norma Snedden and Kathy Haberberger of Ridgway and Suzi Heindl and Kathy Lyons of St. Mary's, PA. Sandy is also survived by many loved cousins of the Moline and Shreffler families.

Sandy was preceded in death by her mother, Rosella Streich; her maternal grandparents, David Moline and Edna (Hook) Moline; a sister in infancy, Susan Marie Streich; a great niece, Amelia Renee Streich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tobias Streich; a niece, Ellie Brendel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Brendel; a sister-in-law, Karen Brendel; a brother-in-law, Stan Bauer; her in-laws, George Brendel and Eileen Brendel, formerly of St. Mary's; and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Brendel, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. George Brendel.

Loving and kind in all her ways; upright and just to the end of her days; sincere and true in her heart and mind, a beautiful memory she left behind. Sandy had a nature you could not help but love; a heart that was purer than gold; and to those who knew her and loved her, Sandy's memory will live forever in our hearts.

Per Sandy's wishes, there will be no public visitation. A Funeral Service will be held at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 331 South St., Ridgway, PA on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 12:00 pm.

Interment will be at St. Leo Magnus Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or your favorite charity.

Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 130 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.krisefuneralhome.com