Sandra L. "Sandy" (Sessions) Determann

Sandra Lee “Sandy” (Sessions) Determann, 76, of Battle Creek died peacefully at Legacy at the Oaks, on Thursday, June 6, 2024. 

Sandy was born September 15, 1947, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Colin G. and Leona Mae (Marsh) Sessions.  She was a lifelong Battle Creek resident, (or as Sandy used to say, “From Womb to Tomb”) and a 1965 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School.  While in high school, Sandy lived in the apartment above Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care with her parents. Sandy worked for Kenner 14 WKFR Radio Station right out of high school and was employed as an executive assistant at Federal Home Life Insurance Company.  Sandy retired as an Executive Secretary from the Kellogg Company after 33 years.  

Sandra Lee Sessions was united in marriage to Daniel William Determann on May 19, 1979, at First Baptist Church in Battle Creek.  Sandy was preceded in death by her husband Dan on January 15, 2020; by her parents and her half-brother, Joseph R. Sessions.  Her sister-in-law, JoAnne Sessions, passed to meet her maker on the same day as Sandy.  Surviving are her three nieces, Dawn Daw, Lori (Paul) Chapman, and Dana Sessions; and three grandnieces, Mallory (Adam) Smith, Taylor Chapman and Bailey Chapman.  Also surviving on Dan's side of the family are Dan's siblings: Fran (Marilyn) Determann, John (Linda) Determann and Mary (Tony) Hecimovic, along with four nephews, three nieces, and a total of 16 great nephews and nieces. 

Sandy attended Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.  She was a 50+ year member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and their State Leader 1967-68 and then continued her membership as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.  She was a former member and secretary of Cereal City Lions Club and a former president of the Battle Creek Jaycettes Service Group.  She has been a member of the PEO Sisterhood since 1987 and was a member of the Kellogg 25-Year Club.  Sandy volunteered at the Charitable Union and Habitat for Humanity.  

She enjoyed the friendships she made and kept those friendships for life.  She got together with groups of friends regularly (over a meal of course), even vacationed with one group on a regular basis.  She collected a wide variety of cookbooks, although she never cooked a meal.  She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her kindness, being a true friend, her love of family, enjoyment of music, and her desire to volunteer to help others less fortunate.  Also her passion for shopping (especially for shoes), getting manicures and by all means cats!

Friends will be received 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home where a service to celebrate Sandy’s life will be officiated by Rev. Dr. James M. Gysel at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 13, 2024. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/event/4374341 Committal and interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Sandy will be missed more than she could ever have realized.  But we all celebrate that she is at peace with her family and her Heavenly Father.

Memorial contributions in Sandy’s memory may be made to Charitable Union, Cereal City Lions Club, Companion Cats or Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Personal messages or Sandy memories may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.