SANDRA (KOZLOWSKI) McCLELLEN

Sandra (Kozlowski) McClellen, age 82, passed away on February 9, 2024, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family.

She was born June 16, 1941, in Chicago to Joseph and Alice Boryla.

Sandra grew up in Chicago with her 4 siblings, Joe, Dennis, Ron, and Rita.  She attended local schools and after graduating high school, Sandra worked until she married Raymond Kozlowski in 1961. They began their new life together in Chicago and had a farm in Indiana for Raymond to raise hogs for his meat packing business. Sandra and Raymond were blessed with 7 children together which made for a busy house but also a full and loving home.

Grief came to call when Raymond passed away unexpectedly, so Sandra took her children and the memories they made to Elburn, where she lived for over 40 years.  Fate brought another love into Sandra’s life in 1998 when she and William McClellen were united in marriage, but she was again widowed seven years later.

She was a member of St Gall Catholic Church and spent a lot of time volunteering at Delnor Community Hospital.  She also worked in a medical office as a receptionist for a time.

 Sandra loved art of all kinds, and always had an eclectic display in her home.  Sandra enjoyed live music and dancing and her music choices were as eclectic as her art.  You never knew if you would hear Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, or Pink Floyd when you entered the house.  Sandra loved garage sales and she was a “Trekie” before it was a thing.  Sandra collected some interesting clocks that were proudly displayed, including a giant clock table, a clock that chimed with bird calls on the hour, and the famous cuckoo clock.  Sandra loved her food!  A good steak, fried pork chops, polish sausage and sauerkraut were always welcome on the menu. If she was feeling fancy, Oysters Rockefeller got top billing. Her infamous dumplings and pancakes were a family treasure, a treasure her family is still trying to replicate. No matter what graced the table, all meals were enjoyed with a Pepsi and a cigarette.

Sandra had a close and loving family, although truth be told, Sandra was especially close with her sister Rita. Sandra, Rita, along with their spouses, played in bowling leagues for many years. If they were not bowling, they would be participating in a boisterous game of pinochle.  Sandra was the life of every party and was always asked to whip up her famous potato salad.  With such a large family, Sandra’s home was host to a number of special occasions and celebrations. This gave Sandra a chance to share her love of pinochle, teaching anyone willing to sit at the card table, which included most of the spouses and grandkids. For certain, Sandra will be the talk around the card table for years to come!

Sandra found her greatest joy in her 16 grandkids, a number that needed to be bigger by her estimation as she always had more love to give. Sandra was always waiting with orange Tic-Tacs, a witch’s hat, and ready to build a giant brick tower just to knock it down. Sandra will be missed dearly, and we hope that when she gets to Heaven, “it’s just like downtown.”

She now leaves her loving family including her 7 children, Cheryl (Rick) Markus, Cathy (Rafael Bernadino) Kozlowski, Raymond Kozlowski, Roy Kozlowski, Cindy (Justin) Cyr, Richard (Deanne) Kozlowski, and Christine (Jamie) Bastone and her 16 grandchildren.   

Sandra is reunited with her parents, Joseph and Alice Boryla; her husbands Raymond Kozlowski and William McClellen and all four of her siblings.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 10-12 p.m. with a service to celebrate her life and faith at 12 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn, IL. Private family interment when Sandra can be laid to rest alongside Raymond, will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, IL.  

In lieu of flowers, please help honor Sandra’s support of the military by contributing to Patrol Base ABBATE, www.pbabbate.org/home-0 or St. Gall Catholic Church at www.stgall.com where there are several options to donate. Memories and tributes maybe left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook page or at www.conleycare.com where you can find Sandra’s full life story.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 10-12 p.m. with a service to celebrate her life and faith at 12 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn, IL. Private family interment when Sandra can be laid to rest alongside Raymond, will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, IL. In lieu of flowers, please help honor Sandra’s support of the military by contributing to Patrol Base ABBATE, www.pbabbate.org/home-0 or St. Gall Catholic Church at www.stgall.com where there are several options to donate. Memories and tributes maybe left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook page or at www.conleycare.com where you can find Sandra’s full life story.