Elizabeth Kordella, 28

Elizabeth (Sands) Kordella, 28, of Kalamazoo, passed away Sept. 16, 2010 at Bronson Hospital. Elizabeth was born April 9, 1982, the daughter of Deborah (Search Willoughby) and Charles Sands.

She graduated from Michigan State University and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega. She was a member of the MSU Alumni Association. She was a fourth-grade teacher at Hoppin Elementary School in Three Rivers. Elizabeth loved her daughter, Madeline, her pugs, reading, teaching young children, camping, and being with family and friends.

 Survivors include her husband, Chris; daughter, Madeline; parents, Deborah (Search) and Jim Willoughby of Kalamazoo; father, Charles Sands of Nebraska; parents-in-law, Gary and Micki Kordella of Portage; sister, Debora (Rich) Karnemaat of Portage; brothers, Scott (Yulia) Willoughby of Kalamazoo, Brian (Stephanie) Willoughby of Vicksburg and Mark (Tina) Willoughby of Houston,Texas; sister-in-law, Suzanne Kordella of Portage; maternal grandparents, Janet Search of Kalamazoo and Bud and Mary Search of South Carolina; paternal grandparents, Halbert and Jeanne Sands of Florida; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends who love her.

Family and friends will be received Monday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, where a memorial celebration will follow at 5 p.m., Rev. Julie Kline and Rev. Julie Dix presiding. Private interment of cremains will be in Mt. Ever-Rest North Cemetery, Kalamazoo at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Elizabeth’s memory may be made to Hoppin Elementary School Reading Program, the Child and Family Ministries at First United Methodist Church, or West Michigan Cancer Center, 200 N. Park St., Kalamazoo 49007. Arrangements by Redmond Funeral Home, 4100 S. Westnedge 269-343-6156