Sandra McManus Lovoi

Alexandra (Sandra) McManus Lovoi, 93, of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully in her home on April 15, 2026. Sandra was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on March 22, 1933. She attended St. Mary’s Girls School in Calgary and graduated in 1950. After waiting a year to enroll in nursing school because she was too young, she earned her nursing degree in 1955 from the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Sandra returned to Calgary and worked in the pediatrics unit of Holy Cross Hospital. In 1957, she was introduced to Vincent Salvadore (Sonny) Lovoi by her best friend’s brother. Sonny was working in the Calgary office of Century Geophysical at the time. They married on October 4,1958, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. And then the journey began. Shortly after their wedding, Sonny and Sandra moved to the United States. Sonny worked in the oil industry as a Gulf Coast geologist and geophysicist. Their first stop was Lafayette, Louisianna, where their oldest son, Mike, was born. A year or so later, they moved to New Orleans, where their sons John and Paul were born. Shortly after Paul’s birth, Sonny was transferred back to Lafayette, where their first daughter, Anne-Marie, was born. The next stop was Corpus Christi, TX, where they had their second daughter, Marilyn. Sonny received another promotion and was transferred to Houston while Sandra was pregnant with their sixth child. The girls wanted a baby sister – three of each – but out came another boy, Tommy. Sonny was then promoted to Head Geophysicist of Tenneco’s Canadian operations based in Calgary. Sandra was elated to be close to her family. Six years later, in 1974, Sonny decided it was time to venture out on his own and the Lovoi family moved back to Houston. They settled in West Houston at Heatherfield Dr. – this would become their home for the next 52 years. Sandra quickly embraced Houston and often commented on how welcoming the people were. She had moved six times in fifteen years and could now really settle in. Step one was to find a church - she and Sonny promptly joined St John Vianney Catholic Church, and this community became an integral part of their lives. Sandra and Sonny formed some of their closest friendships with other parish members – it became the core of their social life. Sandra was passionate about her family. It started with her husband. She followed Sonny all over North America as he built his career and supported him by making sure everything was running smoothly at home. She was his devoted, life-long partner and always up for the next adventure. Sonny’s profession was very cyclical and there were challenging times. Sandra was the one who kept it all together – she went back to work and would always say, “let’s just take it one day at a time.” Observing her care for him in his dying months was truly inspirational – always kind, always patient – she never left him alone. She spent the next twelve years dreaming of seeing him again. Sandra would often say, “your children are the best thing you will ever do.” She always knew when they needed a little support. She was so consistent and so good. She listened more than she spoke and, no matter what the issue, it always seemed to get a little better or hurt a little less after you were with her. She did not lecture but instead led by example. It is fair to say that each of the kids strayed at one time or another – only to learn that the correct way to live was to just be more like her. She was at her best when she was helping others – cooking at the church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, returning to nursing at age 50, babysitting her grandchildren, and volunteering at numerous organizations like the Charity Guild of Catholic Women in Houston. She did it all with a constant smile. Perhaps her most endearing quality was her refusal to judge others – she preferred instead to focus on their positive qualities. Her life was so simple – a typical day would be an early walk on the bayou reciting the rosary, followed by mass at St. John Vianney. She called the bayou and mass her therapists. In the afternoons, she loved to get together with her friends for book club or bridge. Sandra is survived by her six children: Michael Stephen Lovoi; John Vincent Lovoi (Megan); Paul Andrew Lovoi (Monica); Anne-Marie Lovoi Pierce (Sandy); Marilyn Lovoi Hoskins (Brett); and Thomas McManus Lovoi (Lisa). “Nana” is also survived by her nineteen grandchildren: Michael Stephen Lovoi, Jr; Mia Catherine Lovoi; Mary Margaret Lovoi; John Vincent Lovoi Jr. (Stefanie); Joseph Woods Lovoi; Olivia Lovoi Smith (Rader); Blair Nicole Lovoi; William Thompson Lovoi; Margo Carrere Lovoi; Luke McManus Lovoi; Jake Andrew Lovoi; Samuel O’Neil Pierce (Katie); Claire Elizabeth Pierce; Benjamin Thomas Pierce; Alexandra Hoskins Roeder (Garrett); Hannah Hoskins Davidson (Josh); Mallory Rae Hoskins; Kate Elizabeth Lovoi; and Jack McManus Lovoi. In addition, she is survived by seven great-grandchildren (and two great-granddaughters due this summer): Henry Vincent Lovoi; Benjamin Wells Lovoi: Eloise Day Pierce; Lincoln Charles Roeder; Samuel Francis Davidson; Cecilia Rose Davidson; and Thomas Alexander Davidson. Sandra is also survived by her sister Patricia Anne Newman of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent Salvadore Lovoi, her parents Ivan John and Margaret McMillian McManus, her stepfather Charles Sharples, and her youngest sister, Katherine Margaret Crane. The Lovoi family will be present to receive friends on Thursday April 23, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, with a Vigil Service beginning at 7 pm at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, 77079. A Funeral Mass celebrating Sandra’s life will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079 on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:30 am. A reception will follow mass in the St. Jude Hall.

Sandra McManus Lovoi

March 22, 1933 - April 15, 2026