Sandra Parks

Born and raised in Longview, Mississippi to modest circumstances but with a close-knit family made up of a strong and independent mother (Lovie) and protective big brother.

A “Straight A” student in high school (did not rub off on her kids), she showed a sparkle and attention to detail from an early age.  Worked as a bookkeeper (foreshadowing of future fastidiousness as well as a love of both books and keeping things) in Starkville as she attended Mississippi State University.

Met her future hubby to be (Malcolm) walking down main street then finding out he worked right next to her… and right next to each other was where you would find them for 57 years of marriage.  After Malcolm graduated MSU on a military track they packed up for what became a lifetime of exploration spanning homes in Kentucky, Georgia, Germany, Pennsylvania, and ultimately Centennial Colorado where they have stayed for 45 years.

Colorado reminded the couple of their time in Bavaria, Germany, and spoke to their shared love of the outdoors where she could often be found reading a book, hiking, or using her eagle eyes to spot wildlife while Malcolm fished (including the time she spotted a Bear sneaking up on him).

A devoted mom (Steve and Brad), mom in-law (Jill and Jen), and ‘Gammie’ (Taylor, Avery, Rowan, Dublin) she has passed along a love of books (Tolkien) and music (from classic country to Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin which started to help relate to her kids).  Much of her extended family still resides in Mississippi and Florida including her brother Howard (Carletta), niece (Celeste), and nephew (Jimmy).

Also a fierce friend, she was known to scour the known universe for the perfect (and best priced) present and then go to 3 different stores to find the equally perfect (and most clever) corresponding card. She spent many miles, months, and even years looking for antiques and collectibles at Garage Sales across the south metro suburbs.  Those who were fortunate enough to visit her Garage Sales, Antique Booth, or the inner sanctum of her home would see a museum curated quality mercantile display of Victorian-era toys, rare books, western paraphernalia, and southern memorabilia.

At Christmas, her inner child really shined as the home would transform into a celebration of old-world Christmas and a tree (once Malcolm got around to putting it up) with the highest density of Old-World and Chistopher Radko ornaments that the world would ever see.  Sausage twirlies, gift bags, and her family will never be the same.

Sandy will be forever missed, mourned, remembered, and celebrated.  We know she’s in Heaven right now helping them stay organized and will be looking over us always.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Sandy at Horan & McConaty family chapel, 5303 E. County Line Road, on Wednesday, 9/28/2022, at 4 pm.

This ceremony will be live streamed at https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=32bbb7cf-5108-46d1-b064-5c3b28850534