Sandra "Sandy" Jo Norwood

Sandra Jo Norwood, “Sandy,” 74, died on Monday, March 20, 2017, at home in Austin, Texas, surrounded by her loving family. She passed away after a long and valiant fight against lung disease. Sandy was born on March 15, 1943, in Fort Worth, Texas, to parents Morris and Ava Wilson, who preceded her in death. Sandy graduated from Castleberry High School in Fort Worth, Texas, and subsequently was married and had three beautiful children. She then began a successful and varied career as a bookkeeper, funeral director and organ transplant advocate long before she became a two-time double lung transplant recipient herself. Sandy transitioned from the role of funeral director to the founding manager of Legacy of Life Tissue Center whose mission was to educate the masses about the life giving benefits of tissue and organ donation. Sandy worked with donor and recipient families to guide them through the transplant process. She employed her grief counselor skills to set up support programs for donor families and started the Donor Quilt program, which encouraged donor families to provide a single quilt square in memory of their loved ones. The program expanded across Texas and the nation. Unexpectedly, in 2008 Sandy was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis and was added to the waiting list for a lung transplant. Sandy became a double-lung transplant recipient in 2009 and again in 2013. She was fearless in her battle against lung disease and continued to advocate on behalf of organ donation. She had a zest for life and inspired others through her speaking engagements and writing, having authored two books. She also connected with people from all facets of her life and gained lifelong friendships through her participation in everything from women’s barbershop choruses to Texas Hold’em poker groups. Not only did Sandy thrive through her connections with those outside of work, but she loved sharing her story with her co-workers at the Austin Blood & Tissue Center, Mercury Mambo and Growth Acceleration Partners. And Sandy loved to laugh. She would laugh out loud at the silliest joke or funny animal video. Most importantly, she lived by example by unconditionally loving and taking care of her family. She was loved by all who knew her. Sandy is survived by her spouse Mindi Garnett, her son, Michael Hight, her daughter Joyce Durst and her brother Morris Wilson and his wife Debbie Wilson. She was predeceased by her brother Arthur Wilson and her eldest son, Jerry Don. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Katie Christensen and Michael Roberts and two beautiful great grandchildren, Anyah and Lilli. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on April 15 at the Church of the Savior, 3402 Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to DonateLifeTexas.Org at https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=2139&AID=2832 .

Sandra "Sandy" Jo Norwood

March 15, 1943 - March 20, 2017