Sandra Kay Mccollum

There were so many things that Sandra McCollum enjoyed throughout her life, but there was nothing that meant more to her than spending every moment that she could with her many friends and loved ones. She never worried much about building wealth or receiving praise from others, rather, she focused her time and attention on fully living in each moment that she was given. Sandra completely embraced her role as a mother, and although she loved her children dearly she just may have argued that being a grandmother was her greatest reward. She was caring, generous, and thoughtful of others with a contagious zest for life that was unmatched. Sandra Kay will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of the countless people whose lives she touched. With the end of WWII in 1945, America was once again making the shift from being a nation at war to being a nation at peace. Numerous servicemen and women returned stateside, and since supplies were no longer needed to support the war effort manufacturing was able to return to normal once again. It was just a couple of years later, in 1947, that a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, was delighted to welcome a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on August 13th. Sandra Kay was the second of three children born to her parents, Alvin and Goldie (Hill) Absher. Her father worked as a security guard while her mother was a busy homemaker. Sandra Kay and her family were given a tough pill to swallow with the death of her mother when Sandra was seven years old. She was raised with love by her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Sonny. While growing up Sandra experienced many of the same things that other girls her age did. She loved playing jokes on her siblings and was known as the mischievous practical joker of the family throughout her entire life. Although her family moved to Chicago for a time, they returned to Muskegon when Sandra was ten where she remained for the rest of her life. She was a student Philips School through the eighth grade. Sandra was good friends with Irene Dynes-Gierzak. Her family was a close knit group, and the children were expected to obey the rules, which included coming in from playing outside when the streetlights came on. Sandra and her siblings often picked dandelions for the man down the street who used them to make wine. It was around the neighborhood that Sandra met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Ronald McCollum, and they were smitten with each other right from the start. Following a short engagement Sandra married her sweetheart on May 4, 1963. They settled into a home on Kooi Road in Fruitport Township, which is where they raised their three children, Sue, Ronald Jr., and Michelle. As a mother Sandra Kay was firm and certainly liked things done a certain way, yet everything was always based on what she felt was in the best interest of her children. She did everything in her power to set them up for happy and successful lives. Their dogs, Hope, Janey, Mr. Eyes, PeeWee, and Heather, were like additional members of their family. Their family had such fun on vacations together every year to places like Mackinac Island, Tahquamenon Falls, and to various destinations in the Upper Peninsula where they always stayed in rustic cabins. The McCollums also went to really exciting places such as Great America, Las Vegas, and Disney World. In fact, it has been said that Sandra Kay loved Disney even more than her children did! Establishing family traditions was important to her as well, especially when it came to celebrations on Christmas Eve and Sunday dinners, too. In addition to caring for her family Sandra worked outside the home. For several years she worked in the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Muskegon, maintaining the grass, bushes, flags for holidays in the median of Seaway Drive, and the grounds at Hartshorn Marina. Later Sandra Kay became the owner and operator of Movie Tyme Video on Broadway in Muskegon Heights. She eventually sold the video store in 1998. Later in life Sandra was overjoyed to become a grandmother. She would have moved heaven and earth for her grandchildren, and spending time with them was a favorite activity. From the moment they arrived Sandra Kay was an active part of their lives, regularly attending all their events including soccer and hockey games, cheerleading and theater. Her children and grandchildren always came first throughout her life. Happy fun meals at McDonalds will always have such special meaning to Sandras family, and there was nothing like playing a game of Catch Phrase with Sandra either. She was terrible at describing the words, which always made her family laugh like crazy. Friends always held a special place in Sandras heart. She loved going out to eat with friends. As they can attest, however, Sandra was notorious for forgetting her checkbook or cash, which meant that someone was always prepared to come to her aid. Shopping together was something she also enjoyed. For several years she belonged to a breakfast club, the Morning Glories. A woman of many interests, Sandra Kay was rarely one to be still. She loved traveling and walking the boardwalk and pier in Grand Haven. Visiting the casino was something Sandra frequently did, and she also liked playing games on the computer. Sandra was also a fanatic when it came to watching her favorite show, Pawn Stars. For several years Sandra struggled with a rare form of leukemia, and it was this ongoing fight that eventually became too much for her. She drew her last breath at her daughters home. We will remember Sandra Kay McCollum for her sparkling personality, her mischievous spirit, and her generous touch, but her unending devotion to her family will be her lasting legacy. She brought light and life to the world around her, and no one left her presence unchanged. Sandra will be deeply missed while her memory is forever cherished. Sandra K. McCollum died on Thursday, March 7, 2013. Sandras family includes her daughters, Sue (Christopher) McCarty of Muskegon, Michelle (Gary) Wilks of Muskegon; son, Ronald (Deborah) McCollum, Jr. of Midland; grandchildren, Chelsea, Allie, Ashley, Seth, Emma, Brendan; brother, Donald Gerber of White Cloud; sister, Shirley Santos of Ravenna; stepmother, Ella Absher of Muskegon; sister-in-law, Linda Christensen of Muskegon; several nieces, nephews and a multitude of close friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Sr.; parents; sister, Beverly Wheeler; brothers, William Absher & Sonny Absher; adoptive parents, Margaret & Sylvester Smith. Services will be held on Monday, March 11, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. David Willett officiating. Visit with Sandras family and friends on Sunday, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. and Monday, 1 hour prior to the service - at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorials can be given to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.