Sandra Mary Allen

Always known as Sandy, 76, passed away peacefully at her home on April 2, 2013, with her family by her side.  Born on September 24, 1936, Sandy graduated from Eastern High School, attended Michigan State University, and was a lifelong Lansing resident.

 Sandy is survived by her daughter Lisa Joseph of Lansing, son Scott (Pat) Whiting of Lansing, and daughter Stacey (Gregg) Stickels of Marietta, GA; grandchildren, Adam and Abbi Stickels, Sarah (Jeff) Crafard, Tom Whiting, and Rodney Whiting; great-grandchild, Olivia Crafard; and two sisters, Vicki Manzano Nunn and Melody Kruger. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and special “son” Jack Hilley.  Sandy was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Manzano.

 Sandy worked as a legislative assistant for Senator Bursley and as a Deputy Sheriff for Ingham County Sheriff’s Department-Civil Division.  Sandy served as a Lansing City Councilwoman from 1994 to 2010.  She was instrumental in creating the Junior City Council, planting flowers along the Cedar Street berms, enforcing trash pick up, working to save the buffalo at Fenner Arboretum, and creating a resolution to limit street name changes.  Sandy was a part of the driving force behind the South Side Community Center, and she served on the administrative board of Capital Area Michigan Works from 2006-2009.  Always known as a hands-on council member, she participated in many projects such as mentoring youth in the Lansing School District and helping Habitat for Humanity.  Sandy was active in the Red Hat Society and was a past member of Kiwanis and Lansing Civitan organizations.

Besides Sandy’s passion for politics, she loved the theater and was involved in numerous local productions, including LCC’s Celebrity Lip Sync, Lansing Civic Players’ productions, and mystery dinner theaters, also serving on the board of directors for Riverwalk Theater.  She also loved knitting, donating most of her scarves and hats to charity; flower arranging; playing Scrabble; and having a good breakfast at the Fleetwood Diner with family and friends.

Sandy exuded genuine compassion for those around her – her loved ones as well as strangers.  Always believing that a single act of kindness was never wasted, she sought to help others in any way possible – a gentle word, an anonymous act of generosity, or an impassioned fight for justice.  While the beauty of nature always awed Sandy, it was her inner beauty that touched us all.

A special thank you goes to Margie, Mary, Amy, and Kim for their kindness and care for the last six months of Sandy’s life.  Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to donate to CareFree Medical and Dental, 5135 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48911.

Sandy’s family invites everyone to a celebration of her life at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Thursday, April 4 from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m.  A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 5.

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9 Messages to “Sandra Mary Allen

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Lisa, Scott and family
April 2, 2013 at 5:14 pm

May the memories of your mom live forever in your heart and help you find peace and comfort during this difficult time.

We love you,

Dad and Lou

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Bill and Peggy Bryson
April 3, 2013 at 8:27 am

Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. We hope your memories of this very special woman will bring you comfort.

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Jaime Dibean Mullen
April 3, 2013 at 10:55 am

Sandy was a phenomenal cheerleader for the city of Lansing. She believed in the community and worked hard to make the her Ward as beautiful as she could. Thank you for the memory and the example to live by. You will be missed.

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Karen Wilcox
April 3, 2013 at 11:18 am

I was so sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. I was proud to have her as my city council representative; she did her best to take good care of her constituents and to listen to everyone. My thoughts are with you.

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William Hubbell
April 3, 2013 at 12:41 pm

Sandy’s contributions to the city of Lansing will be long remembered. she was a true friend to all who knew her.

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Pam Bach
April 3, 2013 at 2:50 pm

Thoughts and prayers are with you. Sandy was a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart. See will be greatly missed.
Pam. Steve, Josh and Maddie

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Janet Clark
April 3, 2013 at 3:19 pm

I really appreciated her support of the Senior Volunteers. Months ago, she dropped over and donated the yarn that she had and wouldn’t be able to use. She told me that she had cancer and didn’t know how long but she was up beat and the sweet lady she has always been. Lansing residents will miss her as she really was an advocate for them especially South Lansing.

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Joan Summers
April 3, 2013 at 3:26 pm

So sorry for your loss! My thoughts are with you.

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Aleta Mineo O'Connell
May 7, 2013 at 10:01 am

My February phone call asked Sandy how best to fulfill my just departed Pat Thar’s instructions for a procession thru the City of Benton Harbor. Her advice was right on and the plans unfolded spectacularly April 26 with a 25 minute procession passing 5 points important in Pat’s childhood, moving from St. John Church to Calvary Cemetery. We chatted about the plans at our last visit in March. Thank you for having a picture of Pat in your photos of Sandy’s life. Sandy always kept me up to date with you–Lisa, Scott, Stacey, Vicki and Melody. May you know she loved you dearly and now lives in treasured memories in your heart of hearts always. Special person, special friend.

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