Sandra Lee (Fasick) Dean's Obituary
Sandra Lee Fasick Dean, age 85, of South Park, PA passed away on March 6, 2021.
She was the wife of 63 years to Richard D. Dean, and mother to David A. Dean (Cindy), of Syracuse, NY and Stephen R. Dean (Ieshia) of Pittsubrgh, PA.
She was grandmother to Joshua Dean (Tirsa) and Kayla Dean, and a sister to Karen K. (Fasick) Satterlee (Phil) of Surfside Beach, SC.
She was the daughter of George and Mildred Fasick, who preceded her in death.
Lt. Colonel Sandra L. Dean was born Sandra Lee Fasick to George and Mildred Fasick on August 2, 1935 in Springfield, Ohio.
Raised in a Christian home, Sandy came to Christ as a young person while attending her home church at the time, the Clifton Ave. Methodist Church. She was active in the Youth Fellowship program at her church, and at an early age, showed an interest in teaching.
As an older teen, she began to hone her speaking ability, and entered a speaking contest in her Junior year in High School. She won first place and received the “Prince of Peace” award for outstanding oration.
Also, during her Junior year, she attended a city-wide revival series of meetings, supported by many churches in the area, including The Salvation Army. Following the Revival series, the Corps Officer wisely invited teens from the various churches to continue their fellowship at The Salvation Army facility, complete with a gym for recreation. Sandy attended those gatherings and was soon invited to attend Sunday services at the Army. She fell in love with the Army, and also with a young man named Richard Dean who had been invited by the Corps Officer’s son to come and play basketball in the gym! Dick soon began to attend worship services as well, and the spark was ignited!
Soon, Sandy announced to her parents that she was called to be a Salvation Army officer. One Sunday, just before Sandy left for training to become an officer, she and Dick were sharing a songbook, and singing the song “I Have Read of Men of Faith”. As they sang, Sandy pointed to the words, “Will you not enlist with me and a valiant soldier be?.....” At that moment, Dick pointed to the words of the chorus…” I’ll gird on the armor and rush to the field….”and they knew then that Dick had received a calling as well, and their lives were coming together in God’s plan!
Sandy entered Training in 1953 as a member of the “Shepherds” session and was commissioned in 1954. Dick followed her as a member of the “Soulwinners” session in 1954.
Lt. Sandra Fasick served as an Assistant officer in Erie, Rochester, Homestead, Sharon and Vandergrift, PA before she and Dick were married on June 22, 1957.
Together, they served at Corps Officers in Kane, Corry, Greenville, Pittsburgh Temple, and Oil City, PA. They served as DYS’s in SWONEKY Division, then to Hempstead, NY as Corps Officers. They then served at the SFOT as Chief Side officer for marrieds, while Sandy was the Director of Child Care, which gave her the opportunity to live out her passion for teaching children and directing dramatic productions and musicals. From there, they went to DHQ in Pittsburgh, where Sandy served as Director of Services to the Aging, and she planned extensive, memorable camps and special events for seniors. From there, to Buffalo, NY as Area Commanders, then back to DHQ, Pittsburgh, where Sandy served as Director of Women’s Services.
In 1993, the Deans were appointed to the Southern New England Division, as Divisional Commanders, and in 1996 to the Retired Officers Residence in Asbury Park, NJ, as Directors, with the promotion to the rank of Lt. Colonel.
The Deans retired in 1999 in their beloved Pittsburgh, PA. In retirement, Sandy had an extensive card ministry for many years, sending out hundreds of get well, sympathy, and encouragement cards every month to people she wanted to touch with her love. She always included an extensive personal note on each card - not just signing her name!
Sandy loved people, and was a true, faithful “Shepherd” of the flock serving with determination, and generously sharing her gifts of teaching, preaching, drama and extensive, unique program planning. Most importantly, she was an encourager! In her later years when she would attend the corps, confined to her transport chair, people would flock to her, knowing that they would receive a word of love and encouragement from this beautiful lady of God!
Services are private and have been entrusted to the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, INC., 301 Curry Hollow Rd., Pleasant Hills, 15236. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army Pittsburgh Temple Corps at 1060 McNeilly Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15226. Condolences may be shared at www.jeffersonmemorial.biz.
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