Saundra Jeanne Rydin

Saundra Jeanne Rydin passed from this earthly world on January 19, 2022 at 1:25 am into the eternity of God’s kingdom where she will be welcomed by her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as a new member of His Angels and Saints.

Saundra is survived by her partner, Jim, her son, Curtis, and her daughter, Kristi (Kevin), her nieces and nephews Theresa Harman, Tony Hoyet, Tim Hoyet, Karen Yancey, and Linda Halfman, and countless friends throughout North Carolina and the country. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Martha Brackin; her sister, Sarah; and her husband, Ted.

Saundra was an enthusiastic contributor to so many performances and social groups, from her singing and dancing in productions at Kokomo High School and her reign as Queen of the Stardust Ball, to her membership in the Chi Omega sorority at Ball State, to her many volunteer activities, from delivering Meals on Wheels and performing for seniors with the Kenmure Show Chorus to supporting programs for domestic violence victims and the homeless through First United Methodist Church. She touched hundreds of lives in her 19 years as a home economics teacher.

Saundra had extraordinary abilities in a diversity of interests. She particularly liked being a part of participative or social group activities, especially in musical theatrical presentations, where her
singing and dancing, along with her dialect and mimicry skills contributed greatly to the success of her role and the show. It mattered not to Saundra whether she had a leading role, a supporting role, or simply a member of the cast, her infectious enthusiasm, radiant smile and joyful exuberance enhanced not only her performance but that of all her fellow players.

Saundra loved challenges – she learned clogging, became exceptional and participated in many shows as a demonstrator or as the lead. She became an avid hiker and successfully hiked the “Forty Peaks” over 6,000 feet in Tennessee and North Carolina. These accomplishments notwithstanding, Saundra will be best remembered for the love and joy she brought to her family and friends. Her compassion, generosity and concern for others exceeded her concern for the incurable disease that she was fighting. Saundra had an incredible memory for the important events in her friends’ and relatives’ lives, and never failed to note them with a card, letter or phone call.

One of Saundra’s favorite pastimes was having lunch with the many lifelong friends she acquired over the years, and these became even more important to her during the last year of her illness. The joy and laughter of remembered past events, the love and friendship shared served to brighten her day.

Saundra requested that no memorial service be held in her honor; but rather, that each of her friends and relatives, wherever they are or whatever they’re doing, when they learn of her passing, take time to reflect on a special memory they have of her, and say a prayer for her and perhaps make a contribution in her honor to any children’s charity.

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