Sandra "Sandy" G Oestrike

Sandra, affectionately know as Sandy by many, was born to Frederick Farnsworth Sr. and Leona Hyde-Farnsworth on December 29th, 1944 in Painesville, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, who passed away in 2023.

Sandy grew up in Lincoln Park, Michigan where she enjoyed spending time with her cousins, riding bikes to and from family member’s houses in the Detroit area, skating on local rivers during the winter, and sewing dresses for her dolls. Sandy would always light up with joy when she told how she would stay up late watching movies with her dad once they got a television. Another story she told, with a sparkle in her eye was, how once she learned to drive, a local boy challenged her to a quarter mile race, and she was proud to say she beat him with a 3 Speed when his car was a 4 speed.  Visits to her Aunt Graces house for dinner were an extra special memory she shared; the kids were meant to feel like little adults with small glasses of wine and fancy table settings that looked to be brought straight over from Italy.

Sandy loved chorus in high school and graduated from the Lincoln Park High School in 1963. She went on to receive her Beautician Certification. Once working in local salons, she was very proud of her accomplishment because she was known by her customers to have exceptional attention to detail and was a color specialist.

Early in 1964, Sandy met Paul Oestrike on a double date that her cousin begged her to go on. They were married on October 3rd 1964. Sandy was always known as a quiet and kind person. Paul was the complete opposite, he would talk and joke around with anyone he met. Little did she know, her life was about to change because of Paul’s outgoing demeanor. Although being a quiet and kind person, she did know how to dish it back when it came to Paul’s shenanigans.  

They welcomed their first child, a daughter, Dawn Oestrike-Ferretti in July 1967.  Followed by a son, Gerald Oestrike in April 1969.  They also welcomed a second daughter, Falen Oestrike-Todaro in December 1983. 

While living in the city of Rockwood, Michigan Sandy answered a knock on the door while taking care of Dawn, and being pregnant for Gerald.  It was an older gentleman who spoke to her about God’s Kingdom and how her bible wasn’t doing her any good stored up in her closet. Sandy noticed that his fingernails were dirty and that he wore a dated suit. He was offering the Watchtower and Awake magazines, which at the time were 10 cents to obtain a copy. Sandy reasoned, this is how this man made a living and feeling empathy for him, she continued to buy the magazines every time he came. Even though she said, she didn’t understand what he was trying to teach her. Sandy always spoke affectionately of this brother, Albert Marcy, from the Flat Rock Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She told stories about how he wore older suits because he was a lifelong bachelor who cared for his mother. The dirty fingernails Sandy noticed came from his trade work as a welder. And how after Brother Marcy’s mother passed, no one took his mother’s seat at the Kingdom Hall, except when Sandy was rushing in late, Brother Marcy always let her sit there. One might say, Sandy’s attention to details, not of what the magazines said, but her empathy for the person at her door, brought her the Truth.

Sandy used to continue the story by saying, before she knew it, Albert turned that magazine route into a Bible Study when he turned it over to a sister in the congregation, Mary Phillips. Sandy was baptized on July 17th 1970 in a pool at a local high school which was used for baptisms during assemblies at that time.  She remained a faithful member of Jehovah’s congregation for the remainder of her life. 

After Paul and Sandy retired from their family owned Nursery and Landscaping business in 1992, they moved to Florida where they became snowbirds. Living in Northern Michigan in the summer and Florida in the winters. Sandy enjoyed many activities including: traveling across the country with Paul on their motorcycles, music, beach vacations with her dear friends, working with plants, but also her service to Jehovah.  She also enjoyed working on congregation projects when she was able to, often times asked to help with the landscaping around the kingdom hall property because of her vast knowledge of plants.

Around 2014, it was starting to become obvious that Paul was starting to suffer from some type of degenerative mind problem, which would later become diagnosed as Dementia.  Sandy remained by his side, caring for him as his health started to wain and he became worse.  After Paul’s stroke in 2019 in northern Michigan, their days as snow birds came to an end. Sandy was able to care for Paul, who later became bedridden, at their home in Clermont until his death in 2023.  After his passing, she was able to go back to northern Michigan to their cabin for the summers, with her daughter Falen and her family. She enjoyed and loved the time at her cabin by a lake, in Alpena, Michigan.

We sadly lost Sandy on March 5, 2026, where she succumbed to cancer.  Her final moments were painless and comfortable. 

Sandy is survived by her children: Dawn and Robert Ferretti, Gerald and Marianna Oestrike; and Falen and James Todaro. Grandchildren: Anthony and Taylor Ferretti, Scott Ferretti, Michael Oestrike, Nicholas Oestrike, Madison Todaro and Makenzie Todaro. Great-Grand Children: Kitley, Evvie and Enzo Ferretti.

She is remembered as being a loving and respectful Wife, loving and supportive Mother, caring Grandmother and Friend. She leaves a legacy of faith, kindness, generosity, and a love and appreciation of her God, Jehovah, and his Son Jesus Christ.