1950
Sandra
2023
Sandra Portincaso
June 23, 1950 — December 27, 2023
Sandra “Sandy” Kay Portincaso spent her life looking for answers. Those that she found were always centered on the importance of empathy and kindness. Her life began from humble beginnings as the daughter of a farmer in Michigan and took her on a journey that included living in Europe, having security clearance as an drug/alcohol addiction counselor for generals in the U.S. Military, being a GED teacher, a librarian, a researcher for the Christian Science Board of Directors, and an entrepreneur. She lived in locations as varied as Germany, Belgium, France, Boston, and Geneva, IL. She was a daughter, sister, wife, aunt, stepmother, and grandmother. Her life was centered around understanding how she could love the people around her better, even if they didn’t always understand how to love themselves. An avid reader and student of life, she found the final answer to what lies beyond when she shed her physical reality suddenly at home on December 27
th
, 2023, at the age of 73 and joined with the spirit of God.
Born on June 23 rd , 1950, to the late Gerald “Jerry” and Marian (Tomlinson) Imhoff, Sandy grew up in Haslett, Michigan, near Lansing. Her youth was centered around the work of the farm as the only daughter in the family.
After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Human Ecology and a Sociology/Psychology minor, she traveled to Europe living in Paris, France; Brussels, Belgium; and Nuremburg, Germany among other places. She taught GED courses for soldiers with the Department of Defense and became an alcohol/drug addictions counselor for officers and soldiers returning from the Vietnam war. Upon returning to the United States she lived in Flint, Michigan where she was a counselor for union workers. Later, she moved to Boston, Massachusetts and started a long career with the Mother Church of Christian Science that began as a hospitality host, then librarian, then to human resources in training and development. Her talent and intellect were eventually discovered by the Christian Science Board of Directors where she was asked to become the researcher for the board, keeping them informed on world issues to direct prayer efforts.
In spring of 1996 fate led her to meeting the love of her life, Victor Portincaso, on a flight from the New Hampshire Airport. She was on her way to Chicago for a conference and was seated next to Victor, who was on his way home. Victor wasn’t originally scheduled for that flight and Sandy didn’t normally fly out of that airport. The plane was delayed waiting for parts. They filled the intervening hours waiting on the tarmac with big discussions about their approaches to life. They began a courtship by writing letters which then culminated with Sandy moving to Crystal Lake, IL to marry Victor and partner with him to assist in raising Dan, Chris, and Becky.
Theirs was a relationship of love and friendship with constant kidding and joking, deep introspective talks, a honeymoon motorcycling through the Alps, and being each other’s best friend.
Sandy could always be counted on to tell an interesting story from her past, or to provide insightful wisdom to those in her company. To talk to Sandy was not simply to be listened to, but to be heard.
She ended her career as a co-owner of an auto repair/body shop with her husband, and stepson Chris. In her retirement, she enjoyed being a grandmother to her six grandchildren, trying new recipes, reading books voraciously, and drinking fine tea.
Of all her experiences, she enjoyed being a grandmother most of all. Sandy often said that she learned more about how to live and love through their untarnished perceptions of the world than from any book.
Sandy was eternally kind. She met every moment with empathy and an open heart for the people around her. Sandy always began by assuming the best of intentions from everyone. She knew that compassion was the cure for any problem. And if, for some reason, kindness didn’t work, a bite of her famous molasses cookies just might do the trick.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Randy Imhoff.
She is survived by her loving husband Victor Portincaso of Geneva, IL; stepchildren Daniel (Barbara) Portincaso of Oak Park, IL, Christopher (Johannah) Portincaso of Batavia, IL, and Rebecca VanDyke (Phillip) of Geneva, IL; grandchildren Adela, Henry, Sabina, Cora, Elora, and Ari; brother Rod (Robbi) Imhoff of Williamston, MI, sister-in-law Barb Imhoff of Williamston, MI, and niece and nephews (Brad, Greg, Jesse, and Rebecca Imhoff).
A memorial service will be held at a later date in accordance with her wishes.
In remembrance of Sandy, her family asks that you honor her life by performing an act of kindness for someone.
Born on June 23 rd , 1950, to the late Gerald “Jerry” and Marian (Tomlinson) Imhoff, Sandy grew up in Haslett, Michigan, near Lansing. Her youth was centered around the work of the farm as the only daughter in the family.
After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Human Ecology and a Sociology/Psychology minor, she traveled to Europe living in Paris, France; Brussels, Belgium; and Nuremburg, Germany among other places. She taught GED courses for soldiers with the Department of Defense and became an alcohol/drug addictions counselor for officers and soldiers returning from the Vietnam war. Upon returning to the United States she lived in Flint, Michigan where she was a counselor for union workers. Later, she moved to Boston, Massachusetts and started a long career with the Mother Church of Christian Science that began as a hospitality host, then librarian, then to human resources in training and development. Her talent and intellect were eventually discovered by the Christian Science Board of Directors where she was asked to become the researcher for the board, keeping them informed on world issues to direct prayer efforts.
In spring of 1996 fate led her to meeting the love of her life, Victor Portincaso, on a flight from the New Hampshire Airport. She was on her way to Chicago for a conference and was seated next to Victor, who was on his way home. Victor wasn’t originally scheduled for that flight and Sandy didn’t normally fly out of that airport. The plane was delayed waiting for parts. They filled the intervening hours waiting on the tarmac with big discussions about their approaches to life. They began a courtship by writing letters which then culminated with Sandy moving to Crystal Lake, IL to marry Victor and partner with him to assist in raising Dan, Chris, and Becky.
Theirs was a relationship of love and friendship with constant kidding and joking, deep introspective talks, a honeymoon motorcycling through the Alps, and being each other’s best friend.
Sandy could always be counted on to tell an interesting story from her past, or to provide insightful wisdom to those in her company. To talk to Sandy was not simply to be listened to, but to be heard.
She ended her career as a co-owner of an auto repair/body shop with her husband, and stepson Chris. In her retirement, she enjoyed being a grandmother to her six grandchildren, trying new recipes, reading books voraciously, and drinking fine tea.
Of all her experiences, she enjoyed being a grandmother most of all. Sandy often said that she learned more about how to live and love through their untarnished perceptions of the world than from any book.
Sandy was eternally kind. She met every moment with empathy and an open heart for the people around her. Sandy always began by assuming the best of intentions from everyone. She knew that compassion was the cure for any problem. And if, for some reason, kindness didn’t work, a bite of her famous molasses cookies just might do the trick.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Randy Imhoff.
She is survived by her loving husband Victor Portincaso of Geneva, IL; stepchildren Daniel (Barbara) Portincaso of Oak Park, IL, Christopher (Johannah) Portincaso of Batavia, IL, and Rebecca VanDyke (Phillip) of Geneva, IL; grandchildren Adela, Henry, Sabina, Cora, Elora, and Ari; brother Rod (Robbi) Imhoff of Williamston, MI, sister-in-law Barb Imhoff of Williamston, MI, and niece and nephews (Brad, Greg, Jesse, and Rebecca Imhoff).
A memorial service will be held at a later date in accordance with her wishes.
In remembrance of Sandy, her family asks that you honor her life by performing an act of kindness for someone.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sandra Portincaso, please visit our flower store.
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