Sandra Sheila Harris, peacefully entered her Everlasting Eternal Life while surrounded by family on January 7, 2025 at the age of 80.  Sandi was born on March 12, 1944, in Bridgeport, CT, to the late Edward Meskello and Edna Eleanor Jackel.  After her father passed at an early age, she was raised by her mother and step-father, Frank Blanco, who loved her as his own.

In 1962 when American Bandstand was alive and flourishing, a public relations representative from Marietta College traveled to Trumbull High School and wooed her to the Ohio Valley where she completed her higher education and graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, Speech, and Drama. While there, she met her husband Brian, who instantaneously swept her into the military life of the United States Navy. After completing her duties as a wife of a naval aviator, they returned to Ohio to reside in Medina as she was told "it's just like New England Farm Country!"  God's will took over as he kept her very busy over the next 50 years.

While her two children were in school, Sandi sat on every available PTO committee, healed and patched up bruises and bee stings in each school clinic, tutored reading, and volunteered for every talent show, skit or drama to raise funds for the schools.

In the mid to late 1970s, she helped to organize the Medina Meals on Wheels program after becoming a devoted member of St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church. For more years then one can count, she directed the Kids of the Kingdom children's choir, served on church council, actively participated on the worship team, mentored the youth, and established their drama ministry.  St. Matthew was "home" to Sandi.  She exuded God's love in all that she did.

In 1980, The Medina County Show Biz Company called her to direct their first play.  As an instrumental board member and principal director for over 35 years, she instructed thousands of community thespians, from ages 5 to 85.  Sandi empowered each and every cast member, new or seasoned, to ignite their inner self-esteem while transforming them into character. In addition, she often shared her talents and led student productions at Buckeye and Highland High School.  She was honored to direct an inclusive Children's Theater every summer where she turned no child away and ensured a role for everyone who auditioned.

Sandi's love for Tai Chi, an ancient oriental form of exercise and health, kept her calm and sane.  After 12 years of study, Sandi taught at Medina General Hospital and multiple assisted living facilities throughout the community.

Sandi was a ray of light spreading love, inspiration, patience and acceptance. All those around her shined brighter as a result. Her strong faith and trust in the Lord her Savior was instrumental and unwavering.  All who knew Sandi are better because of it.  Her love will live on in her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 58 years, Brian J. Harris; her loving children, David R. (Karen) Harris and Kristin A. (Roger) Haught; her 4 grandchildren, Nina Harris, Kaeli Haught, Chloe Haught, and Jagger Haught; her sisters, Virginia (Richard) Girouard and Frances (Joseph) Stanczyk; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as a host of church members, aspiring thespians and a lifetime of collected friends.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00pm at Waite & Son Funeral Home, 765 N Court Street, Medina, Ohio 44256 as well as on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St Matthew Lutheran Church, 400 North Broadway Street, Medina, Ohio 44256. Sandra's Funeral Service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church.   She will be laid to rest at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Sandi's memory be made to: St. Matthew Lutheran Church https://www.stmatthewmedina.org or Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110 with a note in the memo line reading "Medina-Sandra Harris".

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.waitefuneralhome.com.