Sandra Davis – Roscoe
Sandra Davis, 71, of Roscoe, passed in the early morning hours of Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh. Her last moments were spent enveloped in the love of her family who held her hands in prayer. Born Oct. 9, 1952, in Rostraver Township, Sandy was the daughter of the late Samuel and Betty Jane Yowonske. She was a 1970 graduate of Belle Vernon High School and a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Roscoe until its closing, then continued to actively practice her faith as a member of St. Sebastian Parish in Belle Vernon. After grieving the loss of her beloved husband, Roy Davis, who passed in 1985, Sandy met Chuck Sanders, a wonderful man who she would spend the next 39 years building a life with. Not only loving partners in life, Chuck and Sandy were also co-owners of Lazy “D” Mobile Home Estates in Roscoe. The pair enjoyed cruising the river on their pontoon boat and sitting on their back porch admiring the waterfront view of what they called “paradise on the Mon.” In 1988, Sandy opened Davis Travel Agency in Monongahela and in the last several years operated the business from her home in Roscoe, where she was still working at the time of her passing. In addition to being a successful businesswoman, Sandy devoted much of her life to serving the communities in which she worked and lived. Whether it was building playgrounds, parks, or pickleball courts, coordinating fireworks displays, or brightening up the streets with colorful banners, Sandy’s love for her hometown of Roscoe is evident in the countless contributions she made to its improvement. In 1990, Sandy was proud to become the first female member of the Monongahela Rotary Club, later going on to serve two terms as the club’s president and also as Southwestern Pennsylvania Rotary assistant district governor. Sandy was a member of the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce, served 35 years on the Mid-Mon Valley Transit Authority, was president of the Roscoe Town Council and on the board of directors of RESA. Sandy’s accomplishments in her work and civic life are impressive, but her true legacy is the profound impact she has had on the lives of friends and family. She always found time to cheer from the bleachers at her grandsons’ sporting events or take her granddaughters on memorable shopping excursions. She loved her “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere” Wednesday lunches with her crew of friends, gave the most thoughtful gifts, and relished every opportunity to throw one of her legendary parties for anyone’s birthday, anniversary, retirement, or just to show she cared. Sandy was one amazing human being and will be greatly missed by so many. Sandy is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Michele (Amos) Molek of Whispering Pines, N.C., and Jodi (Vince) Ripepi of McMurray; two stepsons, LeRoy (Jackie) Davis of Ocala, Fla., and Robert Davis of New Eagle; two brothers and sisters-in-law, David (Kathy) Yowonske of N.C. and Rick (Suzanne) Yowonske of Rostraver Township; 10 grandchildren, Reagan and Gunner Molek, Victoria, Vincie, Andrew, Mark and Eric Ripepi, Bryttany (Dave) Gardner, Troy (Jill) Davis and Joshua (Cassie) Davis; eight great-grandchildren, Brooke and Braden Gardner; Sylvester, Christopher, Tydas and Toby, Allie, and Sadie Davis. In addition to her husband Roy, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Christian Ripepi. Friends will be received at MARSHALL MARRA FUNERAL HOME, 216 Chess St., Monongahela, 724-258-6767, from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Blessing prayers will begin in the funeral home at 8:45 a.m. Monday followed by a Mass of Christian burial in St. Sebastian Parish, 801 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with Father Michael Crookston as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Sandy is requesting contributions be made to the Monongahela Area Library, 813 W. Main St., Monongahela, PA, 15063. Condolences can be made online for Sandy.
