Sandra Boston

Sandy Boston was born in Detroit, MI on May 14, 1951 to Walter and Virginia Kobiata. A precocious tomboy, Sandy was a daddy’s girl through and through. Her infectious laughter and sparkly green eyes encouraged quick friendship with just about anyone she met, a quality that stayed with Sandy throughout life.

In 1955, the family, including siblings Karen and Mike, moved to Livonia, MI. Sandy attended St. Mike’s Catholic school, where she excelled in art and athletics. She was captain of the cheerleading squad and pitched for the softball team. Despite her strict Catholic education, Sandy was always ready for some mischief. She and her girlfriends enjoyed playing pranks on the sisters, experiences that fostered lifelong friendships. Sandy looked forward to their yearly reunions to remember the fun they had at school.

After graduating from high school in 1969, Sandy attended Eastern Michigan University where she pursued a degree in Art Education. During her freshman year she grudgingly agreed to a blind date set up by her roommate. It was at that drive-in, while watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in April of 1970, that Sandy met her husband of 36 years, Michael Boston.

In many ways, Mike and Sandy were meant for each other from the very beginning. They were born at the same hospital by the same doctor, just months apart. They were inseparable during college, and married shortly after graduation. Their wedding, during a blizzard on February 1, 1974, was presided over by Father Bob Sable, who has remained a lifelong friend and counselor.

Their marriage, full of respect and passion, is a testament to the love they shared throughout the years. Sandy just loved her Mickey, and the spark initiated on that warm April night in 1970 was visible years later to anyone who witnessed their weekly date nights.

During the early years of their marriage, Sandy completed graduate work at Wayne State University and taught art in Troy. She and Mike had their first son, Brian, in September 1978. Shortly thereafter, Mike was transferred to Holland, MI.

The move to Holland allowed Sandy to devote herself to her family. After her second son, Jason, was born in 1980, Sandy stayed home with the boys until they went to school. Sandy cherished those years spent raising her boys, who had inherited Sandy’s green eyes and passion for life. She was a dedicated mother who played catch with the boys in the afternoon and made sure the family ate dinner together every night. She supported her boys’ endeavors, and religiously attended their baseball games, from Little League to Holland High varsity.

Sandy developed close friendships with many other members of the Holland community. Together they would travel, camp, boat, and delight in life with their families. Sandy was often the jokester of the group, who enjoyed lightening the mood, starting food fights in inappropriate situations, and generally breaking the rules. Her primary motivation was that a good time be had by all, and any memories of Sandy from these years invariably involve laughter.

Once the boys began school, Sandy returned to teaching. She taught first grade at Douglas Elementary in Saugatuck Public Schools for 14 years. She loved to witness that magical first moment when a child learns to read, and often spoke with affection about her students. The students loved Sandy in return, and she received many updates throughout the years.

In 2002 Sandy was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The illness affected Sandy’s physical and cognitive abilities, and the last years of her life were spent overcoming the many difficulties associated with the disease. Sandy faced these challenges head-on, and remained a fighter to the end. Her courage and bravery through many of the worst aspects demonstrated her will to protect her loved ones from suffering.

Sandy’s faith and her giving personality are memorialized in the amount of donations she has accumulated for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. These donations, towards researching a cure to this crushing illness, were the only gift Sandy requested on holidays and birthdays since being diagnosed.

Sandy continued to enjoy many of her lifelong passions until her final moments. Although she could no longer create pottery, her keen eye and appreciation for art never diminished. She was a member of Meijer Gardens, and the sculpture park was one of her favorite places to visit.

Sandy loved Lake Michigan. She and Mike enjoyed boating along the shore, both in Holland and at their second home in Charlevoix, MI. Always up for an adventure, in 2001 the couple sailed their boat from Charlevoix to the Florida Keys. There, they developed a lifelong appreciation for happy hour and Jimmy Buffett.

Sandy had wonderful memories from her extensive travels throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe. These included the many road trips the family took to national parks, as well as family vacations to Paris. Just a few months preceding her death, Sandy and Mike traveled to Switzerland and the Provence region of France to view the scenery that inspired Van Gogh’s artwork.

As the disease progressed, one of the few things that Sandy could continue to enjoy was Lake Michigan. She devotedly walked from her home to the lake every day, through even the most adverse weather conditions. Many people stopped along the way to let her know how inspiring those daily walks were. These compassionate comments from neighbors meant a lot to Sandy, and they strengthened her motivation despite her difficulties walking.

On June 15, 2010, Sandy began her final walk to the lake. Along the way, she quietly passed away. Although devastated by the loss of this vibrant, beloved soul, her family is comforted by the knowledge that she had been enjoying one of her favorite activities.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the many compassionate friends and neighbors who helped Sandy face this difficult disease. Donations may be made in Sandy’s memory to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.

Sandra Jo (Kobiata) Boston, age 59, was enjoying one of her favorite activities, walking to Lake Michigan, when she suddenly passed away on June 15, 2010.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Michael, of Holland, MI; her sons Brian of Milwaukee, WI and Jason (Marisa) Boston of Saline, MI; her mother Virginia Kobiata of Keystone Heights, FL; siblings Karen of Holland, MI and Michael (Patty) Kobiata of Keystone Heights, FL; in-laws Linda Boston of Woodbury, CT, and Steve (Cathy) Boston of Birmingham, MI; nieces and nephews.

Sandy is preceded in death by her father, Walter Kobiata, in-laws Robert and Lois Boston, grandparents Betty and Charles Porter, Mary Flannery, and Marion and Dorothy Bagley.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2010 at the Saugatuck Christian Reformed Church, 6591 Old Allegan Rd, Saugatuck, MI, with the Rev. David Van Der Wiele officiating. A reception will follow the service at the Boston home in Holland. Donations may be made in Sandy's memory to the Huntington's Disease Society of America. The family wishes to thank the many compassionate friends and neighbors who helped Sandy face this devastating disease.

Arrangements are by the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Mulder Chapel.