Sandra Lee (Smith) Wuwert 
1951-2021 

Sandra Lee Wuwert went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 5, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. She was born to Wilbert Anthony Hardin and Gladys May Hipp on December 16, 1951 in Toledo. Immediately after birth she was adopted by Ward Franklinand Lenore Martha (Ireland)Smith in a private family arrangement. Ward and Lenore went on to raise Sandy as their only child. 

Sandy attended Clay High School, graduating in 1969. She went on to The University of Toledomajoring in education. College was interrupted by the demands of life. Sandy married Vincent Alfred Wuwert on December 16, 1988 in Toledo, Ohio. 

Sometime after high school, Sandy Joined the Velvetone Choraliers based in Oregon, Ohio. She sang with them for a total of nine years. In addition to periodic concerts, the group put on an annual show that had as its primary purpose raising money for scholarships that helped young people majoring in music. 

Early in her adult life Sandy worked as a payroll manager at a variety of local firms culminating at Nekoosa Packaging in 1989.She left Nekoosa to pursue a long-standing desire to teach small children. She taught at Love’n Care Pre-School for three years (1996-1999). Realizing that she would need more education to move beyond pre-school teaching, Sandy returned to The University of Toledo at the age of 48to complete a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Subsequently, at the age of 56 she completed a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, specializing in Literacy. Her motto was “it is never too late.” 

Just after her bachelor’s degree graduation in 2001 Sandy experienced the first signs of breast cancer. She committed to the fight and became active in the Susan G Komen support group and participated in a number of fund-raising efforts such as the Race for the Cure. 

Sandy was an avid Toledo Rocket Football fan as are her children. All three of her children played in the Rocket Marching Band while getting their degrees. Sandy was always there to offer support and cheer them on. 

Her first teaching job was with the Smith Road Elementary(SRE) School in Bedford, Michigan. She taught in that school system until her retirement in 2018 

In 2004 Sandy was invited to join Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honor society of key women educators worldwide. This was in recognition of her dedication to excellence in teaching.  




Left to celebrate her life are her daughter Laura (Jeffrey) Zuccarell, sons Michael Chevalier and Mark Wuwert, grandchildren Caelen James (CJ), Maximus Reed and Molly Michelle. Brothers Dan (Linda) Solarek, William Hardin, Dale Hardin, Christipher (Gail) Curington, and Derry (Tracy) Curington, sisters Doris (John) Pitkanen, Diane Hardin, Ella (Joe) Reese, Mitzi Hanenkrat, and Annette Whitney.As well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces/nephews and great-great-nieces/nephews. 

Also remembering her fondly are the parents and children of the close to 500 studentsthat she nurturedover the years including her great-nieces and great-nephews Brooke, Joshua, Justine, Kayla, Zackery and Emma. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, biological and adoptive parents, brothers Thomas Smith Sr, Edward Hardin Sr, Alan Solarek, Donald Hardin, Shelby Wagner, and BenjaminCurington Jr. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mitzi Hanenkrat (sister) and Linda Smith (cousin) for traveling great distances to provide care for Sandy. And to Dan Solarek (brother) for providing transportation to numerous medical appointments and hospital visits. 

Visitation with Covid-19 Restrictions and Guidlines, will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2021 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM at the Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Road (at Jackman Rd.) Temperance, Michigan, where funeral services will begin at 5:00 PM. 
No graveside service. Internment will be at a later date in North Oregon Cemetery, Oregon, Ohio near her Mom’s (Lenore’s) grave. 

In lieu of flowers, please fill a child’s backpack with school supplies and drop off at the Pawlak Funeral Home (before the service) or at the Bedford School System (after the service) in her name.