Sandi S. Backus MacGregor, 40, went to rest in God’s loving arms on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Palliative Care, in Lakeland, Fla.

Mrs. MacGregor was a strong and proud member of the American Kang Duk Won Karate Association for ten years. Sandi worked at the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center as a shift leader in the production of binders. She also volunteered with the Thompson Park Zoo, educating guests about the various animals they would encounter there. It was here Sandi began to show a limitless compassion. Sandi’s love for nature and all of God’s creatures was truly boundless. Later in life, Sandi moved to Lakeland, Florida with her husband and worked at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in the insurance billing department. She also was an Assistant Manager for Sunoco, Inc.

Sandi was born July 31, 1968, in Watertown, N. Y., daughter of Osborne R. and Verna Hughes Backus. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1986. On October 31, 1989, at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown, she married Christian S. MacGregor and from that moment to her passing, they were inseparably one. Sandi enjoyed music, watching movies, and the thrill of roller coasters. Her greatest enjoyment came from helping animals. Sandi volunteered at many shelters to give her love. She nursed many dogs back to health. Over the years, Sandi shared her love with Saavik, Khan, Simba, Jade (all German Shepherds) and her beloved Velvet, who she saved at birth and raised. Another of Sandi’s passions was diving; she was a certified PADI Open Water Diver. Sandi and Chris would spend as much time as they could in the ocean. To them, it was a new and wonderful world where they were free of limitations.

Sandi is survived by her loving husband, Chris, her wonderful mother, Verna (Hughes) Backus, Watertown, her three caring sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy and Bill Cain, Alexandria Bay, Dianne Backus and companion Neil Dicob, Watertown, Barbara and Michael Lamont, Antwerp; two compassionate brothers and sister-in-law, George and Cheri Backus, Rodman, and Scott Backus, Watertown; favorite uncle and aunt, David and Jean Hughes, Whitney Point, N.Y. Sandi was blessed with several nieces and nephews whom, regrettably, are too many to mention here.

Sandi was greeted by God with her father Osborne Backus, her nephew George Allen Backus Jr. and her loyal and trusted Service Dog, Saavik.

A memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Watertown will be presided over by Reverend Joyce Woodcock at a later date. A private memorial service will be presided over in Lakeland by Chaplain Kerri A. Kroeker, to be announced at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Mike Phillips of the Casket Store, e-mail: mike@casketstore.net. Donations may be sent to the family at 957 South Central Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801.

Sandi always gave of herself and her smile was bright enough to light the world. Sandi also taught us all to live and love, and her absence from us will be deeply felt for the rest of our lives.