April 4, 1946 – September 10, 2025
Sandra Nowicki found peace on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born on April 4, 1946, to Ann and Salvatore Garite in Chicago. Although raised in Franklin Park, Illinois, her heart was at her grandparents’ farm in Northern Wisconsin, making hay with a draft horse and pitchforks. Two passions filled Sandra’s life: art and horses.
Sandra graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1968. In 1971, she moved to a little farm along the Fox River in Kenosha County, where horses and dogs were her constant companions, along with occasional sheep, goats, cattle, and chickens. She raised several generations of award-winning rabbits. Sandra’s dearest soulmate was Ramonna, a rejected foal Sandra raised on a bottle, who then became Sandra’s partner for riding and driving for 34 years. When not with her animals, Sandra was always painting or sculpting.
Sandra was active in the Kenosha Art Association, Lemon Street Gallery, Racine Art Guild, Lake County Mounted Posse, Dairyland Drivers, and Hub Club.
Sandy is survived by her loving husband, Tom Nowicki.
Memorial services honoring Sandra’s life will be held privately.
