Sandra Lois Magnavito

November 9, 1948 — May 27, 2026

Sandra Lois Magnavito, a devoted educator and champion for disability rights, passed away on May 27, 2026, from uterine cancer. Born in Queens, New York, Sandra’s life was defined by an unwavering commitment to service and a deep love for her community.

A Life of Learning and Teaching

Sandra’s education spanned from New York to the West Indies before she attended Temple University in Philadelphia. In 1968, she spent a summer building a school with Operation Crossroads Africa, sparking a lifelong desire to help others. She earned her Bachelor of Science in 1970, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin, and completed thirty hours toward a Doctorate in Adult Education. Her career as an elementary educator took her to classrooms in Philadelphia, Austin, and Denton. Later, she served as an adult counselor at SD Advocacy Services.

Family and Community

Sandra met the love of her life, Frederick Magnavito Jr., during college orientation in 1969. They married on August 21, 1970, and shared nearly 50 years of marriage until his passing in 2020. Together, they raised two children, Angela and Frederick III (Daniel), and cherished their two grandchildren, Geovanni and Alessandra Mora. While raising her family, Sandra led Sunday School at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for seven years and volunteered with the Girl and Boy Scouts. Later in life, she enjoyed traveling to Copenhagen, Venice, and Paris with Daniel Pipes, a longtime friend she first met in Africa in 1968 and reconnected with in 2020.

A Legacy of Advocacy

After moving to Rapid City, Sandra became a prominent voice in health advocacy. Driven by her own health journey, she founded a Lupus support group and served as Vice President of the Dakota Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. She was an active mentor, leading self-help courses alongside Betty Coon and Marilyn Engelbrecht. Most recently, she served as President of the Governing Board for Western Resources for Independent Living. An active resident of Westhills, Sandra was also known for teaching water aerobics and her love for Rummikub and Mahjong.

Preceded and Survived

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Frederick Magnavito Jr., and her mother, Lois Gibson. She is survived by her loving children, Angela Magnavito, and Frederick Magnavito III and his husband, Daniel; her cherished grandchildren, Geovanni and Alessandra Mora; her many dear cousins; a host of friends; and the countless individuals touched by her lifelong advocacy.

Service Details

Youtube service link listed below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo52cN9fV7E

• Eucharist: Saturday, June 6th, at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
• Burial: Monday, June 8th, at 11:00 AM at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sandra’s honor may be made to Western Resources for Independent Living or St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.