La Sandra Delle Ries

La Sandra Delle Ries (Sandy Oyler), 80, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2021, holding the hand of her beloved son. Born October 20, 1940 in Barberton, she was immensely proud of her Barberton and Ohio roots. In 1941, she won the Elks of Akron Most Beautiful Baby Pageant and remained beautiful all of her days. She had an infectious laugh, and the most stunning blue-green eyes that lit up every room she entered. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Ida and Ivan Ries. Left to celebrate her life are her children Denise (Ray) Blackert, Jeffrey Oyler, Wendy Oyler Welsh, 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, siblings Jan (Patty) Ries, Sherri (Ray) Archer, former husband Fred Oyler, and a host of other special family and friends. Having studied at the famous Hixson’s School of Floral Design in Cleveland, Sandy was an extraordinarily talented floral designer and the former owner of Portage Lakes Florist for 33 years. In earlier days, she worked for Herwick’s and Caine’s Florists, as well as Gardner Pie. Sandy was also a licensed realtor for Twin Oaks Realty for a short period of time. After retiring from the floral industry, she worked for the Akron Auto Auction until retiring completely to care lovingly for her mother, Ida, until her passing in 2013. Valentine’s Day was Sandy’s favorite holiday— second only to Christmas—and she was known to surprise loved ones with Cupid Care Packages, even during one of the busiest times of the year for a florist. Sandy had the gift of gab; her children would often joke that “Mom would talk to a rock if it would talk back.” She was a social butterfly, and she loved to jitterbug, play euchre, and listen to music, especially Carole King, Neil Diamond, and ELO. An avid Ohio sports fan, Sandy loved spending time with friends at the Hunky Club watching the Buckeyes, Browns, and Cavs. Game days always lit up her face with joy, and in recent years she was usually seen wearing some sort of fan apparel. She loved to swim and enjoyed spending time at the family cottage in Portage Lakes and taking trips to the beach. Sandy was a tireless advocate for our 4-legged friends, often taking in strays and caring for them while working to find them loving homes. She was a woman of quiet but abiding faith, garnering strength from her favorite Bible verse, Proverbs 31: 25-31, and special hymn In The Garden. Sandy lived a blessed life. But most importantly, she was dearly loved, cherished by so many, and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. We will always be grateful for the lessons of faith, compassion, love, and the value of a hard day’s work she taught her family and friends. Sandy’s family would like to thank Continuing Healthcare of Cuyahoga Falls, Optum/United Healthcare, and Traditions/Harbor Light Hospice for their tireless compassion and care. Cremation has taken place, and there will be a Memorial Celebration of Sandy’s life on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 7:00 pm at the SILVA-HOSTETLER FUNERAL HOME, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton. The family will receive friends ONE HOUR PRIOR to the service. Join the Zoom meeting at https://gordon.zoon.us/j/92057768934. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Sandy’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/donation, or to Pawsibilities at www.summithumane.org/Memorials. Godspeed, Sandy, until we meet again…

To share a memory, send a condolence or view her Video-Gift tribute, please visit www.Silva-Hostetler.com.