Obituary of Sandee Billen Maas

Our precious Sandee passed away May 17, 2023, in the loving arms of her devoted husband, Michael, as he was helping her upstairs at bedtime. Sandee battled an insidious disease, scleroderma, for the previous 12 years with grace, courage, and the true heart of a warrior. Her faith in our Savior never wavered but deepened despite constant pain and suffering.

Sandee became a true inspiration to all as she lived an impactful and purposeful life based on serving others and providing hope and loving guidance to all who were afflicted or in need. Even in her last days, she was blessed with a Christ-like ability to set aside her own suffering to focus on the suffering of those she loved. Sandee lived a remarkable life of significance and servanthood and was dearly loved by everyone who knew her.

Sandee was born May 15, 1963, to JoAnne (Giannelli) and Douglas Billen in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. A true Colorado native, she was raised in a loving family that included her sister, Theresa, and brother, Daniel. The family was quite adventurous as Douglas took them on many camping and boating trips where lifelong memories were made. Sandee grew up with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who became her best friends. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1981, and joined the family business where she worked side-by-side with her mother for 31 years. Sandee then felt called to become a hospice nurse and made it through one semester of nursing school when scleroderma reared its ugly head and changed the course of her life. Sandee accepted this new challenge as God’s will for her to serve others suffering the same disease. She often said she was grateful for the beautiful friends she made because of scleroderma. She became a leader in the local chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation, serving as the support group leader and board member. Sandee was instrumental in organizing many fundraisers, and became known throughout the country as a compassionate advocate for those with scleroderma.

Sandee had many titles: wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, cousin, niece and friend. But her favorite was being MiMi to her two beloved grandsons, Wolf Daniel, and Luka Michael. She also was looking forward to another grandchild expected in November, her first granddaughter, Preslee Jo Maas. 

Sandee is also survived by Michael, her husband of 30 years, her favorite daughter, Gianna, her favorite son, Chandler (Kaylee), her favorite sister, Theresa (Robert), her favorite brother, Daniel, her aunt Angelina, uncle Jimmy, many nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and countless friends. Sandee left this world a brighter, more hopeful place. Her legacy is one of love, kindness and, above all, unconditional forgiveness.

A Celebration of Sandee's Life will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, June 16, 2023 at Southeast Christian Church, 9650 Jordan Road, Parker, CO.  Our precious Sandee asked that, in lieu of flowers, a generous contribution be made to the National Scleroderma Foundation, Rocky Mountain Chapter, in her name.