Obituary of Sandra C. McQuillen

Sandra C. McQuillen, 91, longtime resident of Iowa City, passed away peacefully Friday, July 11, 2025 after a long illness.  According to her wishes, a private family graveside service will take place at the Wilcox Cemetery in Viola at a later date.

Sandra Cornick was born October 30, 1933 in Des Moines to Ralph and Kathryn Wilson Cornick. She spent her early years in Rockwell City, Jefferson, and then Creston, Iowa where she graduated from Creston High School in 1951.

On September 5, 1953 she married Donald C. McQuillen in Jefferson. The couple then resided in Iowa City where she worked for the Iowa City Press-Citizen in the circulation department.

In 1967 she began what became a meaningful career with the Iowa City Community School District, first as a media secretary at Lincoln Elementary and later as a member of the charter staff of the newly opened Helen Lemme Elementary where she remained until retiring in 1994. Her interactions with and memories of the schoolchildren there were an integral part of her life.

Following retirement, she and Don were able to continue their long-time passion for travel, spending over a decade rambling through the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Holland. When not traveling she enjoyed gardening, reading, antiquing, and spending time with her many cherished friends and family.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, brother Craig Cornick, sister-in-law Barbara Moore and Barbara’s husband Joe, brother-in-law Richard McQuillen, and sister-in-law Bonnie Cornick.

She is survived by her daughter Kathryn Norton (David) of Ball Ground, Georgia, her son Scott, of Iowa City, grandsons Corbin and Cullen, her brother William Cornick of Creston, her sister Susan Cornick of St. Augustine, FL, sister-in-law Sharon McQuillen of Jefferson, brother-in-law David McQuillen (Patricia) of Jefferson as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Mar Labar and Sima Haskins for their help, support and friendship to Sandra and her family during the last several years.

The family also commends the exceptional care from the staff of the Lone Tree Health Care Center and thanks them for their help and support during this past year.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages those wishing to make memorial donations consider contributing to Lone Tree Health Care Center and/or the Hospice Organization.