Sandra Holmes (Baer) Eaton

Sandra Baer Eaton, of Portage, passed away at home peacefully while surrounded by her family at the age of 72. She was the daughter of Rear Admiral Donald G. Baer and Phoebe Nibbs Baer. Sandy was born in Hartford Connecticut on January 8, 1949. Her father was a Rear Admiral in the Navy and her mother was an active volunteer driver of the Red Cross Motor Corps and led various Naval Office wives clubs in this country and overseas.

Her father's Naval postings during his active duty allowed her family to travel around the world including her home base in Virginia, Hawaii and the Philippines. In her early childhood she enjoyed playing at the creek with her friends, swimming at the local pool and riding horses. Sandy graduated high school in the Philippines where she met the love of her life, Jud, while he was in the Navy. Jud came back to the states soon after Sandy graduated where they reunited in California and got married on September 6, 1966. They lived in San Diego and welcomed their first daughter Dawn to their family. Shortly after they moved to Michigan and welcomed their second daughter Tara.

Sandy earned her associate's degree in Business at KVCC. She worked for Dunkley Company, Summit Polymers, Bearing Service and retired from Bronson Athletic Club.

She always had a love for nature including plants and animals which led her to volunteer for the Kalamazoo Nature Center allowing her to nurture birds back to health. Sandy enjoyed bowling, golfing, and entertaining and hosting parties for family and friends. She was a great cook and enjoyed trying new recipes for her family. Sandy's favorite vacation was with family on a houseboat on the boarder of Tennessee and Kentucky. She enjoyed swimming with her grandbabies and nature walks.

Sandy had a fun life and is remembered for her spontaneous adventures and surprises, her unconditional love and acceptance of people for who they are, and selfless acts of kindness throughout her life.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Jud Eaton and her special fur friend Audrey Ann. She is also survived by her daughters: Dawn (James) Schouwburg and Tara (Ted) Long; grandchildren: Codie (Jacob) Kurka, Haile Long and Maggie Schouwburg; one great grandchild: Kai Long; brother, Geoff (Denise) Baer.

The family will be having a Celebration of Life on Friday, September 10th at Ft Custer National Cemetery at 3pm. Following that will be a continuation of a Celebration of Life at Niko's Landing Banquet Center, 5852 Kings Hwy. Kalamazoo, with food, drinks and many laughs until around 8pm. It will be open house style, so feel free to come anytime. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Kalamazoo Nature Center or Recovery Institute of Southwest Michigan.

Please visit Sandy's tribute wall to leave a condolence, personal message or memory of her.