Lois Mae (Harrison) Sandri, 94 years old, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2024, in Columbus, Georgia. She was born January 25, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to Joseph Pawnell Harrison, Jr. and Cecelia (Sendelbach) Harrison. Lois was a devoted and loving wife, mother of four, and grandmother of five.
The third of six children, Lois in her youth sported sandy blonde curls and green-blue eyes. She earned track ribbons in grade school and enjoyed participating in choir. She often sewed her own clothes in the latest fashion. A good student, Lois graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago in 1947, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northwestern University. After college, she worked for a public relations firm with offices overlooking Lake Michigan. A lifelong chef, she established many favorite dishes and also continually explored various new recipes. Just two weeks ago she was in the kitchen preparing beef cacciatore, and then later in the day roasting walnuts which were then chopped and placed in butter, flour, vanilla and powdered sugar to make snowball cookies. Lois was an avid bridge player, reader, learner, walker, piano player, gardener and lover of the written word. She was a member of the Green Island Garden Club in Columbus, Georgia from its founding.
Lois liked her tea scalding hot, and her eyes twinkled when she laughed, which was often.
Mrs. Sandri is survived by the love of her life and husband of 65 years, Joseph Mario Sandri. She was introduced to Joe through his older brother Gus who was best friends with her sister Ruth’s husband, Don Farwell. Joe and Lois were married on January 24, 1959, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois. Together, they raised their children Joan, Joseph, Michael, and Maria, while supporting Joe’s career which took them from Chicago, Illinois, to North Muskegon, Michigan, to Arnold, Maryland, and finally, Columbus, Georgia.
She is predeceased by her two older sisters, Betty Puchalski and Ruth Farwell, and her son and daughter-in-law, Michael Victor Sandri and Holley Kortan Sandri. She is survived by her three younger siblings Claire Remer (Bill), Joseph Harrison III, and Nancy Karr, children Joan Piccariello (Harry), Joseph Sandri, Jr., and Maria Kent, grandchildren Eva McNell (Bradley), Rachael Sandri, Joseph (Jin) Sandri, Joseph Piccariello, and Celia Kent, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Mrs. Sandri was a lifelong devoted Catholic and a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Columbus, Georgia. If desired, donations may be made to the parish in memoriam (Holy Family Catholic Church, 320 12th St, Columbus, GA, 31901; www.holyfamilycolumbus.com)
A Rosary for Lois will be held Friday, December 13, 2024 from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia 31907. A visitation for family and friends will occur after the Rosary from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Holy Family Church, 320 12th St, Columbus, Georgia 31901. Lois will be laid to rest in Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Rd, Columbus, GA 31907-2211.
