Sandy Titus

Sandy Titus, aged 91, of St. Paul, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025. She was born in Alameda CA, on November 16, 1933. She grew up playing in her adored grandfather’s gold mine, was a drum majorette, and a champion swimmer and lifeguard on the beaches of the Pacific Ocean.

Sandy’s life was dedicated to the service of others, especially loving and caring for those who were marginalized or dying. She was a registered nurse until she retired at 82. This included time as both a hospice and a psychiatric nurse. Fairview Riverside, St Joseph’s and Abbott Northwestern Hospitals all benefited from her dedication and hard work. In 1993, she received the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service in the AIDS epidemic; this award is the nation’s highest honor for public service. Sandy had a passion for social justice and helping people from all walks of life. She lived with unwavering faith, deep compassion, and a steadfast commitment to treat all whom she met with dignity and respect.

Sandy’s greatest joys were spending time with her family, sharing stories, and laughter. She also loved collecting shells on the beach, finding the best rocks, playing card games, reading the newspaper, and creating magic with her buffalo poppies, roses, window boxes and potted flowers, as a garden artist.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rob and Peg Titus, her sister Marcia, her cousin Mikey, and first in line waiting to welcome her into heaven, her beloved grandson, Andrew Chervenak.

She is loved and deeply missed by her children and their families: Nonnie Chervenak (Bob Ribeiro) and Emily Hogrefe-Ribeiro; Paul Chervenak (Angie) and Jeremy (Sarah) and Jaydon, Lucy and Kate Smoldon; Mimi Steffens (Mark) and Kathleen (Steve Lohmar) and Magdalene and Seraphina Lohmar Exel, Paul Steffens, and Flannery (Jason) and Ruby Jamerson; Neysa Alecu (Dragos) and Nicholas, Natalie and Dominic Alecu. She is also survived by friend Jay, cousin Trish, and her nieces and nephews.

To most she was Sandy, but to us she was our Tozzie. You live forever in our hearts, Toz.

Funeral Mass 10:30 am July 9 at Nativity of Our Lord (1938 Stanford Ave, St. Paul). Visitation 4-7 pm July 8 at O’Halloran & Murphy (575 S. Snelling Ave, St. Paul) and one hour prior to Mass at church. Mass will be livestreamed, https://nativitystpaul.org/online-liturgies. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to the donor's choice. In lieu of flowers, please show kindness and compassion for others.