Sandra M. (Day) Parker Obituary (1952 - 2019)

Sandra Marie Day Parker, 67, passed away peacefully in her home the morning of December 27th, 2019. Sandie was preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Dorothy Day and her sister Dianna Frost. She is survived by her husband; James Parker, her two daughters; Trisha (Brad) Rausch and Bethany (Jay) Swartz, her stepchildren; Jeff Parker, Leslie (Tony) Bagneschi, Meagan (Randon) Levine, and Darrin (Jessica) Parker, and nine grandchildren; Nadia and Grant Rausch, Braylon and Gwen Swartz, Morgan and Gabbie Bagneschi, Benson Levine, and Eloise and Oliver Parker. Sandie was born in Saginaw, Michigan and graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1970. She raised her family and resided in Saginaw most of her adult life. Over the past few decades, she split her time between Freeland, MI, Elk Rapids, MI and Punta Gorda, FL where she built many relationships within each community and enjoyed chasing the sun! Although she passed far too young, Sandie lived life to the fullest. She worked for many years in the restaurant and event planning business and later turned an unsuspecting hobby of trading stocks into a daily job. You could also find Sandie in the kitchen- all day, every day- as she enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. In fact, her passion for cooking led her to write and publish two cookbooks and she was featured in several local newspapers as a recipe columnist. This allowed her to share her love for food with others and pushed her to try new creations in the kitchen. Sandie also had a love for boating and traveling and spent many years creating memories with those near and dear to her heart. Whether it was football Sunday, a special birthday, dinner and card games with friends, or the annual family reunion, Sandie was always hosting and bringing people together! Towards the last few months of her life, as she described what was most important to her, she consistently said being near her family and friends, doing puzzles, cooking, and walking her dog Astro were the things that brought her the most joy. The family wishes to thank those who have extended their support, prayers, and thoughts during Sandie's final days. Per Sandie's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held in Grand Rapids, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the NorthShore Animal League America https://secure3.convio.net/nsala/site/Donation2 as this was a charity Sandie strongly supported in her love of animals. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids.