M. Sandra Guay

M. Sandra “Sandy” Guay (nee Nordstrom) 86 of Waukesha Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in her home with family by her side on Monday, January 20, 2025. Sandy was born in St. Paul Minnesota on May 12, 1938, to Harry and Dorothy (nee Driscoll) Nordstrom. She grew up with her protective brother Harry and under the watchful and loving care of her sister, Micky. Sandy loved the great outdoors, horses, and laughing with her friends during summers spent at Camp Ojikita. 

Sandy attended school at Nativity and Derham Hall, and in 1960 graduated from the College of St. Catherine. After graduation she hopped in a car with three friends and headed to Denver Colorado where she taught 4th grade for a year. Although passionate for the children in her teaching, she decided to pursue a Master’s in Social Work at St. Louis University. It was there that she met the love of her life and soulmate forever, John Guay. It was love at first sight. They married in 1963 and shortly thereafter welcomed children Mary, David, and Jennifer. Sandy was devoted to her children, taking them to piano lessons and gymnastics, waking in the wee hours of the morning to stand in line to register them for swimming lessons, and spending many hours watching them participate in sports. 

Sandy was an avid Badger fan. She and John were long-term season ticket holders for Badger football and basketball. They took trips to the Rose Bowl and to Hawaii to support the football Badgers. They were also decades long State High School Boys’ Basketball fans where they formed long-term friendships with the fans seated around them. 

Working as a school social worker for 25 years in the Wauwatosa School District, Sandy developed life-long friendships with Nancy, Dick, and Karen and many more. After retiring, Sandy was a dedicated volunteer at Angel’s Grace, Meals on Wheels, and a Eucharistic minister. She cherished her friends at Angel’s Grace, having so many laughs, and shared passions with friends Jane and Charlie. 

Sandy loved being granny and “Ma” to six beautiful grandchildren. She adored and was so proud of her children and grandchildren. Family was her life. She loved family events and gatherings with her nieces, nephews, and sister and brother-in-laws. 

Sandy was a humble, quiet, and a steadfast force of unconditional love and care. Alzheimer’s disease may have taken away her memory and cognitive skills, but it couldn’t touch her patient and caring nature. She will be dearly missed by so many. 

The Guay family would like to give special thanks to Mary Lein for providing tender love and care to Sandy, to hospice nurse Pam and other nurses, and to neighbors Justine, Caleb and kids (Avonlea, Elle, Jonny, Ria) for bringing meals and joy to our family.

In addition to her parents, Sandy was preceded in death by her sister Micky, and brother Harry; three brothers-in-law Jim, Jeff, Joel; sister-in-law, Jill; special niece, Molly; and dear daughter-in-law, Marci. Sandy is survived by her husband John; children, Mary, David, Jennifer (David) McNulty; and grandchildren, Samanatha, Jonny, Hannah, Beck, Cal, and Tess.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church, 225 South Hartwell Avenue, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186. Please join the family following the Memorial Mass for a luncheon at church.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials to Angel's Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc and Food for Families at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waukesha.