We wrote this story during the COVID-19 shutdown of just about everything. It caused the 2020 Summer Olympics to be postponed until 2021! What crazy times. We are keeping all those affected by illness and financial loss in our thoughts and prayers.
Our client story helps remind us to keep our spirits up as she always has a smile for everyone she meets. Meet Sandy Witt, a great-grandma, former Olympic torch carrier, and Wisconsin Senior Olympics athlete.
A Little Background
Back in the late 1970s, Sandy, mother to five children, found herself facing an empty nest and looking for something to do. She began working for Weight Watchers and became a group leader where she helped others start healthy habits.
“I liked being around people who exercise, because they are some of the most positive people I’ve met,” Sandy explained. “There’s something about people who train, they just seem to enjoy life a lot!”
Some of her friends worked out running as well so she began running at the YMCA on 124th Street. Not long after, she began completing triathlons.
Sandy read about an opportunity to run with the Olympic torch for the 1984 Summer Olympics. She completed the application and was thrilled to be chosen to carry the torch for one mile on its journey to Los Angeles. Her part of the run took place in Missouri. “It was a dream come true!” she said. Her husband, son and daughter-in-law who was pregnant at the time, drove down to St. Louis. For one mile, Sandy ran with the torch carrying the flame on its journey before handing it off to the next person.
For her efforts, Sandy was able to keep the torch after the flame was passed on. What an amazing keepsake!
Preserving Sandy’s 1984 Summer Olympics Torch Run
Pixologie scanned her commemorative photo album celebrating those moments preserving them in Sandy’s Forever online storage account. Sandy graciously shared the Forever album so that you can look at her photos from her run with the torch.
Time passed since her amazing experience with the 1984 Summer Olympics. Fast forward to three years ago, and Sandy brought her torch to a Wisconsin Senior Olympics Event featuring Bonnie Blair (see photo above) and author and international speaker Gloria Boileau. That’s when Sandy began volunteering with the organization bringing along her torch to share with all.
Sandy stated, “I always wanted to share the torch with others especially because I really love to see the joy people have when they hold it.” Sandy has been at numerous events for the WSO giving people the opportunity to carry the torch. At one running event, she heard a 5K runner tell her granddaughter, “You are holding a piece of history,” and Sandy’s heart just melted.
Sandy enjoyed helping spread the word about the Wisconsin Senior Olympics and sharing her torch. Through this all, she put her running shoes back on and got back on the track. During last year’s games, Sandy competed in Race Walk at the WSO’s Track event, earning a gold medal in her division. Other athletes helped make sure she knew the rules of Race Walk and she loved the experience!
Our Client Stories Wouldn’t be the Same Without the Photos
We feel blessed that Sandy’s sharing nature brought her to the Wisconsin Senior Olympics and to our Pixologie offices. She came in, learned about organizing her photos and started using Forever to store her family memories. Her joy and enthusiasm for life are captured in her memories, photos. . . and in our hearts!
Just think about this story. . . without the photos, it wouldn’t have been nearly the same. Let us help you preserve your story by saving your memories!
Click here to schedule a 15 minute consultation on our photo estate services.