Sandy Chalupa (nee Pierce), 87, of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family and friends on Monday, September 16, 2024.She was born in Aurora, IL on July 9, 1937, to parents, Harry and Rose Pierce (nee Hunt).

Sandy grew up in Batavia, IL and attended McWayne Grade School from kindergarten through seventh grade, and then started at Batavia High School in 8th grade, graduating class of 1955.

After graduating from high school, Sandy moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin to attend Carroll College, where she studied education. She attended Carroll College for three years, until she moved back home and commuted to Northern Illinois University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1959.

In the late 60’s Sandy met her lifelong friend and companion, Lowell Iverson. They both had been on a trip at the Fox Valley Snow Drifters Ski Club when they met and found that they had a lot more in common than their love of skiing. The two of them would go on to have many years of happy memories together.

For over 35 years Sandy diligently worked for various schools in St. Charles. As St. Charles grew in population, more and more schools sprung up and Sandy was prepared to work wherever she was needed, even helping teach special education for a brief period. For the bulk of her career, she taught 2nd grade, and her young, energetic students kept her on her toes. Sandy loved working with and shaping the minds of her young impressionable students and they loved her back. Sandy retired in the mid 1990’s but stayed in touch with many of her fellow teaching colleagues. Over her extensive teaching career Sandy cultivated numerous friendships. Their bonds were strong and ran deep, even being there by her side on her final days.

Sandy really enjoyed researching genealogy and worked closely with the Batavia Historical Society. She did lots of research on her own family, even travelling around the country to uncover her family’s history. She also helped other people with their genealogy research.  In her free time Sandy loved working on her garden and had a knack at arranging floral pieces. The vibrant colors of the flowers matched the vibrancy of her spirit. She also loved traveling, covering many countries and continents over the years. Skiing was one of her favorite past times, she made special trips out west and up to Canada in search of the perfect slope. She was an animal lover to her core, especially dogs. She leaves behind her best, furry companion Molly, who she absolutely adored. Sandy was an independent and caring woman with lots of love to give. She surrounded herself with a select group of special people. Her tenacious spirit will be her legacy, and she will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Sandy leaves behind her friend and companion, Lowell Iverson; her sister Sharon Reader; her nephew John Narva, and a family of friends.

She is reunited with parents, Harry and Rose Pierce.

Services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in Sandy’s memory to the American Parkinson Disease Association at https://www.apdaparkinson.org or to Anderson Humane at https://ahconnects.org. Contributions can be mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.