Sandra Jane Sollis Brennan

Brennan, Sandra Jane (nee Sollis) passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, October 29, 2012, with a smile on her face, some of her favorite music playing on CD, and with one of her two sons (both of whom she adored) in the same room. Undoubtedly her other son, daughter-in-law, and new twin grandbabies were forefront in her mind as well. She was loved deeply by her boys, her God, her many friends at Greentree Community Church and in the Daughters of the British Empire.

As former assistant to the Dean of the Sam Fox School Design & Visual Arts at Washington University, and in her other roles at the University over 20 years, she was a friend to many colleagues and close surrogate “mom” to over a thousand students, renowned for showing up at Student Reviews (or at 2 a.m. when students were finishing projects) bearing brownies, hugs, and words of encouragement. Retiring from the University due to health concerns broke her heart, though it did allow her to stick her bare feet in Florida sand several times with her sons and spend time laughing with friends.

More than anyone, she loved Thomas her husband of 42 years. Before his passing in 2002, they shared an amazing, full life and a million memories; that they are laughing together now is assured by their steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her sons Christopher David McMillan and Thomas John “T.J.” Brier (Kimberly) and her beautiful twin grandchildren Taylor Jamieson and Elizabeth Catherine.

“Sandy’s Energy off the Charts” read the headline of the paper the day she died, and nothing speaks truer to her character. She was a woman of integrity, a blue-eyed laughing beauty, and a true believer in her personal creed: “Find a need and fill it.” She will be greatly, and deeply, missed.

A special thank you to the nurses and doctors at St. Luke’s Hospice Care and Visiting Angels.

Services: Visitation will be at Gerber Chapel, 23 W Lockwood Ave. on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 from 3:00-7:00. A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 in the Steinberg Hall Auditorium at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University, One Brookings Drive, with a reception to follow in the Gallery.

The family requests that gifts be made in Sandy’s memory to: Washington University, c/o Sandy Brennan Student Travel Fund, Campus Box 1210, One Brookings Dr., St. Louis, MO 63130-9989