Dr. Sandra “Sandy” May Wisebaker

Dr. Sandra “Sandy” May Wisebaker was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1954 to Meryl and Rosamond Wisebaker. She graduated from Roy C. Start High School in 1972 before earning her undergraduate degree and beginning her career as an organic chemist with Libbey Glass.

Driven by a deep desire to care for others, Sandy later pursued a career in medicine, graduating from medical school in Toledo in 1993. She completed her residency at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids before becoming one of the area’s first female OB-GYNs. She later started one of Grand Rapids’ first all-female OB-GYN practices, paving the way for generations of women in medicine.

Sandy devoted her life to the health and well-being of women and families. She volunteered at women’s health clinics, administered vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and spent decades providing compassionate care to her patients. By the time she retired in 2020, she had delivered an estimated 7,000 babies. One of her greatest joys was meeting those children years later and reminiscing with their families about the day they entered the world.

Retirement allowed Sandy to fully embrace another lifelong passion—gardening. She became a Master Gardener and generously volunteered in community gardens throughout the city. Possessing an extraordinary memory, she could recall the genus and species of nearly every plant she cultivated. She was often happiest wandering through a garden, talking to herself as she worked, planned, and admired everything that was growing.

Sandy was rarely still. Whether she was baking fresh bread, preparing holiday feasts, sewing, tending her gardens, or caring for those she loved, she poured boundless energy and enthusiasm into everything she did. She was a force of nature with a heart as vast as the ocean. She would never tolerate injustice or bigotry and never hesitated to stand up for what she believed was right. She also had a wonderfully wicked sense of humor, loved a clever pun, and had an uncanny ability to make those around her laugh.

Through her medical career, volunteer work, and unwavering love for family and friends, Sandy touched thousands of lives. Her kindness, strength, intelligence, and compassion leave behind a legacy that will continue to live on in the countless families she cared for and the many people fortunate enough to know and love her.

Sandy is survived by her loving husband, Thomas H. Van Tol; her daughter and son-in-law, Madison and Craig Armock; and her beloved grandsons, Brooks and Louie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Meryl and Rosamond Wisebaker; and her sisters, Judith Lavoy and Mary Lydon.

She is also survived by her brother, Terry Wisebaker and his wife, Judy; her nieces, Mindi Kiefer and April Tucker; and their children.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Sandy’s guardian angel, Dawn Robinson, whose loving care and unwavering devotion brought comfort throughout Sandy’s illness. They are also deeply grateful to her dear friends, Gail and Marie, who remained faithfully by her bedside, honoring their promise to ensure Sandy was surrounded by love, comfort, and dignity during her final days.

A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm at Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory are invited to make a donation to Frederik Meijer Gardens or Planned Parenthood, two organizations that reflect her lifelong love of nature and steadfast commitment to women’s health.