Sandra G. "Sandy" McDevitt (59) of Effingham

 Sandra G. "Sandy" (Reitz) McDevitt, 59, of Effingham passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 22, 2020 after a courageous 4-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born in Champaign, Illinois, the second of three daughters to George and Mae (Runge) Reitz. She grew up in Effingham and graduated from Effingham High School in 1979.

Sandy married Michael McDevitt of Effingham in 1989. They were blessed with two sons, 31 years of fantastic memories and tremendous love for one another.

Sandy learned the craft of bookkeeping and worked for Niebrugge Oil Company for over 20 years. She then moved to Sensible Cinemas in Charleston, a job which she dearly loved, where she learned much about the movie business. After a few years at TSI Graphics in Effingham, she finally settled into a position in the payroll department at Heartland Dental. Sandy always had a great work ethic, and made many friends at each job.

For over 35 years, Sandy renewed her faith every Wednesday and Sunday at Fourth Street Church of Christ in Effingham. For most of those years, she always enjoyed being a very integral part of the Vacation Bible School program. She made even more friends through her faith.

In addition to being with friends and family, Sandy enjoyed crafts, photography, drawing with pencil and pen, and quilting in her spare time.

She is survived by Michael, her husband of 31 years; sons Christian (wife Cailyn) and Aaron, all of Effingham; sisters Terry (Michael) Antrim of Effingham and Christina (William) Schermerhorn of Henderson, NV. And of course, all the McDevitt’s, who Sandy considered to be immediate family also. Probably too many to mention here. She’d laugh at that last sentence.

Sandy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May of 2016. Her family never left her side after that. She endured an extensive surgery and many different chemo therapies since, and displayed nothing but courage, strength, dignity and grace throughout the entire ordeal. She considered herself lucky to have been granted some extra time to spend with her loved ones. The family was amazed and humbled by the generosity of family and friends who donated time and assistance during Sandy’s fight.

In the last few months, she was determined to finish quilts for her husband and each of her sons. She reached that goal, despite being quite exhausted from the chemo therapy. The quilts will be treasured.

Due to the recent events, a public memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham.

The family requests no flowers or food. Instead, please donate to one or both of the following:

--Fourth Street Church of Christ, 1311 South 4th Street, Effingham, IL 62401

--Fear Nothing, P.O. Box 453, Effingham, IL 62401

Fear Nothing is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for cancer patients and their families in Effingham, Cumberland, Jasper, Clay, Fayette and Shelby counties.  Fear Nothing provides support in the form of gift cards to cancer patients to be used for gas, groceries, etc. http://fearnothing.life/