It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear mother Sandra Welford.  A celebration of life will be scheduled for spring 2024.

The Life and Times of Sandra Jean (Winchell) Welford

Prologue: On December 30th, 1940, our grandmother Dora Elaine Blay (1919-2007) gave birth to our beautiful mother Sandra Jean Blay, and the world was forever changed for the better. Despite being raised in a family of few or little means and some personal tragedies over the years, Mom was the ultimate self-taught and hardworking stalwart in our lives. Her quick wit, belief in education, and insurmountable unconditional love and support were the greatest gifts of all.  Here's her story…

Chapter One: The Early Years - Sandra was raised on a farmhouse in Bunker Hill, Michigan. She learned to drive a tractor by age 12 and milked cows daily. She always said cows were the best listeners and that chicken coops were downright disgusting. Despite the fact that farming was a very outdoor thing, the fair-complected, curly red-haired girl loved the indoors as that is where the books were. At age ten brother W. Wayne Winchell "Butch" (1950-2017) arrived and two years later sister Trudy (Winchell) Mitchell. Mom always told us Trudy was her "first baby". She graduated salutatorian from Leslie High School in 1958. In 1961 her youngest brother Ronald Thomas Winchell (1961-1993) was born.

Chapter Two: Meeting David - After graduation, quick as whip, she hightailed it to the "big city" of Lansing and started work as a secretary for the Michigan State Police, where she met Lucy Ellen Welford who set her up on a blind date with her little brother David Lynn Welford (1937-2009). He did not impress her with their first date, a day trip to Detroit and dinner at White Castle. But Lucy convinced her to go on a second date, and about 6 months later they married at the courthouse and honeymooned at Niagara Falls.

Chapter Three: The Children - Their family revolved around children, Timothy Wayne (1959-1979), Elizabeth Jane (died in infancy 1961), Nancy Ellen born 1962, Colleen Gail born 1963, and Neil Edward (died in infancy 1964). David was incredibly creative and artistic, and Sandra doting and administrative. One would like to say they were the perfect balance; but truth be told, Sandra carried the "mother" load always the one who made sure that food was on the table, a roof over our heads, and in the best schools possible.

Chapter Four: At Work and At Play - Sandra always worked. Any job she took on, she basically taught herself and in no time was teaching others how to do things more accurately and efficiently. In the early years she did secretarial and administrative work, then moved on to legal secretary where she excelled and was always everyone's first pick to get something done right the first time. She could sew almost anything and loved reading. If she finished one book, at least three were on deck to be next, or read simultaneously. She regularly had long phone calls with her best friend of sixty years, Cleora Potter. The only thing better than phone calls was visiting her in Springfield, MO, or meeting up in Las Vegas.

Chapter Five: Tragedy Strikes Again - October 30th, 1979, with a knock at the door, the United States Marine Corps delivered the news that our big brother, her first-born, Corporal Timothy Wayne Welford USMC, was in a fatal accident while serving overseas in Okinawa, Japan. It was beyond crushing for all, but especially Mom. We honestly do not know how after losing a third child, she managed to keep that food on the table and the roof over our heads, and simply function each day -- but she did.

Chapter Six: Grandma Sandra - Grandchildren came next, and she was so happy and proud to be Grandma Sandra. She loved, cared for, and shared her love of reading with Patrick and Kerry Hidlay from day one. Years later, the only thing better than the title of Grandma Sandra, would, of course, be Great Grandma Sandra. The night before she passed, grandson Patrick Hidlay (Elise), granddaughter Kerry Hidlay (Ryan Ferrante) and three great grandchildren Lucas Michael, Kennedy Rose, and Vivian James Hidlay were all at her bedside.

Chapter Seven: The Later Years - David passed in 2009, but the forever staunch and capable Sandra carried on. She lived in an "over 55" independent apartment building, where she managed the library, coordinated with the mobile library, ran her "No Pennies Store", and organized annual donation collections for those in need. At one point she even led the exercise class, which we all found both ironic and hilarious. New tenants were greeted with a welcoming letter and the scoop on what goes on at 1777 Haslett Road. She was proud and determined to be self-sufficient and independent, and she was good at it. As granddaughter Kerry said, if any senior citizen was set to hunker down for a pandemic, it was Grandma Sandra. Give her a book, and she could travel the world, live a thousand different lives, and all safely from her living room. Mom's most prized material possession forever was her library card.

Epilogue: Sandra had but a few mantras throughout life, and in no particular order, they were: everyone should be taught to read, no one should go hungry, and charity begins at home. She is survived by: daughters, Nancy (Ron) Wilson, Colleen (SgtMaj Robert, USMC Ret.) Young; sister, Trudy Mitchell; and her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. In loving honor of her memory and in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the East Lansing Public Library or your local food bank.

East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI  48823

https://www.elpl.org/blogs/post/gift-and-memorial-donations/