Sandra Laurilla

Sandra Jane Rengel Laurilla, born September 12, 1941, left this world to be with the Lord on May 17, 2024. Sandy was born in St Cloud, MN and was the fourth of eight children born to Neil and Billie Rengel. She married Jim Laurilla of Bigfork, MN and together raised their three children in Springfield, VA before retiring to Unicoi, TN in 1993. There they enjoyed creating a wonderfully supportive community family, playing tennis, golf and pickleball, traveling in their RV and spending winters in Port Richey, FL, until they graduated to a more sublime life of bridge, reading, Netflix and Marco Polo.  Her love of tennis and bridge made her some of the greatest friends, who she has kept for decades. If you knew Sandy, you knew you were loved. She truly showed her children the definition of unconditional love and how to forgive from the heart. What a gift!

Sandy was a light that shined so bright, and everyone who met her felt the warmth and left knowing they mattered to her. She loved her husband, Jim, fiercely and took such good care of him, especially during his years suffering with dementia, until his passing in July of 2023. She also suffered the devastating loss of her son, Eric, in 2022; the loss of these two men was profound. She missed them every day. As she leaves us, we can be assured of her joy in heaven, being reunited with them in their perfect glory. For all of them there is no more pain or sorrow.

Sandy was the best momma and grandma in the world, and leaves behind her two daughters, Shelley (Brian) O’Malley and Kristen (JP) Aragon, and her grandchildren; Shannon, Lauren, Luke, Natalie and Camden. She is also survived by her seven siblings: Carol (Ernie) Larsen, Mary Thomson, Patricia Rengel, Tom Rengel, Mike Rengel, Jude Von Mosch, and Steven (Linda) Rengel.

The family of Sandy Laurilla will receive friends from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at St Mary’s Catholic Church (2211 E Lakeview Dr, Johnson City, TN 37601), with the funeral mass following directly at 11:00 am. The Fishes and Loaves committee will be kindly having refreshments following the service. The interment ceremony will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 29 at Mountain Home National Cemetery (Historic section). Please meet at the cemetery by 12:50 pm.