Sandra “Sandi” Avery

Sandra “Sandi” Avery, age 79, of Dexter, Michigan, passed away November 20, 2025. She was born on January 11, 1946 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Tom and Fran VandenBrink. Sandi lived an extremely vibrant, full life and was the embodiment of adventure, from traveling the world, to jumping off bridges and out of airplanes, to trekking up mountains, to riding her motorcycle about the country.

Sandi was a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, and served as an occupational therapist in Ann Arbor, Michigan, until retiring in 2006. Her career was a reflection of her thoughtfulness and genuine caring about people. Sandi will be remembered for the way she made everyone who knew her feel valued, welcomed, and cared for. Her regular calls and visits to friends and family will be deeply missed. She was fiercely devoted to her family and was considered the family social coordinator and was often referred to as the family “glue.” Her legacy of kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity will live on in the hearts of all those she touched.

Sandi was the beloved wife of Dean Avery, with whom she shared 60 years of love, partnership, and adventure. She is also lovingly survived by her children, Jeromy Avery and Shiloh Avery, who will forever cherish her wisdom and guidance, and her daughter-in-law, Molly Avery, son-in-law, Jason Roehrig, and adoring grandchildren, Ashley (Jerry) Popour, Tessa Avery, and Lydia Avery. Also surviving are her brothers Gil (Betty) VandenBrink, Thomas VandenBrink, sisters Audrey (Larry) Klynstra and Violet (Jim) VanWingen, her in-laws James Avery, Alan (Linda) Avery and Izetta Avery and many nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law Mary-Louise Avery, and brother-in-law Marvin Avery. A celebration of Sandi’s life will be held on Dec 6th beginning at 11am at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, Michigan, where friends and family are invited to gather, share memories, and honor her remarkable life. A service will be held at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to American Red Cross or Samaritan’s Purse, in tribute to Sandi’s generous heart.