Sandra “Sandi” Lee Kanak, 78, passed away peacefully at home on February 15, 2026, surrounded by family. Sandi was born on October 25, 1947 at 98th General Hospital, U.S. Army base in Munich, Germany, daughter of Roland “Joe” L. and Imogene “Jean” (Williams) Nuttall. Sandi graduated from Prescott High School in Arizona, Class of 1966. After high school, Sandi travelled with a high school friend and landed in Dayton, OH where she met her future husband, Joseph R. Kanak. They married on September 30, 1977 at Our Lady of Rosary church. Soon after, she converted to Catholicism. After a few odd jobs, Sandi worked alongside her husband at his law office as his office administrator for several years before starting her career with the City of Dayton. Her career included administrative positions at City Hall and Fleet Management, before finding her niche as a fire dispatcher. She retired at the age of 62.

In addition, to her career and raising her two daughters that she adored, she served her community in several ways. She was a girl scout leader to both her daughter’s troops. Together with her dear friend, Vicky Tischler, she led her youngest daughter’s troop, seeing them all the way through their senior year of high school. Sandi also volunteered in several ways to her parish, Our Lady of the Rosary, and with the Northeast Dayton Priority Board where her husband was a key member. To help her daughter with service hours in high school, she signed them up with Catholic Social Services and they visited the homebound together.

Once her daughters were grown, she stayed active in many ways. Long time member of a mystery book club, Red Hats Society, and a small faith group that met twice a month for over 15 years. She continued to serve her community by volunteering much of her time for over twenty years with St. Vincent de Paul’s neighborhood ministry, dedicated specifically to Old North Dayton. Appointed as president and then treasurer, she helped to distribute funds for rent, utilities, food/food cards, and furniture to her neighbors in need. Sandi also trained and was sworn-in on August 14, 2018 to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate, however was unable to fulfill this calling due to interference of her health.

Her faith was strong, attending mass weekly, consistently reading the Bible and praying with devotion until she could no longer. Sandi was a proud mother/grandmother and doted on them frequently. She was loyal to her many friends that she loved dearly until dementia stole her vibrant personality, causing her to pull away from many of them. Sandi was charismatic, adventurous, talented, opinionated, very generous, strong and resilient, a spitfire. She loved travelling with her friends and family, bird watching, listening to classical music, as well as today’s hits with her grandkids, reading, watching movies, and going to the Dayton Playhouse and Schuster Center. When living alone became burdensome, she moved to the Ashford of Beavercreek where she instantly and effortlessly made many friends, also winning over many of the staff. Her favorite activities there were BINGO, Rummikub, Mexican Train Dominoes, book club, trips to

the casino and of course happy hour. Her daughter, Tina, and family of Blue Ash had the privilege to care for her the last few months, giving her a comfortable and loving home. She spent her last holidays with her entire family by her side, making it the most special for all.

Sandi is survived by her daughters, Tina Peterson (Andy) and Erin Waite (Jason); her grandchildren Henry and Quinton Peterson, Owen Waite, Ava Hurley, Kiersten DeFord, and Lilly Wilson; and her brother Ted. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her brother Roland “Joe”.

Family will accept friends for visitation will be on Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 5-8pm in the WESTBROCK FUNERAL HOME- KETTERING, 5980 Bigger Road. A short Vincentian prayer service will take place at 7:45pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 22 Notre Dame Ave by Fr. Satish Joseph beginning at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In honor of Sandi, we invite you to wear a touch of red - her favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Vincent de Paul.