Obituary of Sandra Parchem McCoy

Sandra Parchem McCoy, 1951-2021. Born second of nine siblings (Karen, Sandy, Debby, John, Patricia, Joan, Susan, David and Janet) to Margery and Jack Parchem, in Indiana. She found her way to Arizona in student teaching, and found the love of her life, Terry McCoy. They were married in 1975 on Jenny Lake, in Wyoming. Sandy had a thirst for education, studying Latin, Russian and Spanish, earning a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and later her masters from Northern Arizona University. Settling in Kingman in 1981, she raised Megan and Patrick McCoy with Terry, and they traveled as a family each summer during school breaks. Sandy developed educational opportunities for at-risk students over the next forty years, pouring her generous heart into her staff, coworkers and students. She received various educator of the year awards, and was a local “Woman Making History” – however none of that mattered to her as much as cheering for a student that she helped graduate or helping another in need. She created communities, inviting her friends to become her local family and join her weekly for soup night dinners and gatherings to celebrate everything and anything. She traveled often to visit her parents and brothers and sisters, speaking nearly daily to friends and family regardless of the distance. Sandy found her greatest joy in her time with her grandbabies, Minuet, Matthew, Gavin, Malcolm, Olivia, and Makayla. They would bake, garden, read and find happiness in almost any activity. Sandy spread joy, and generosity, and in the way she lived her life, taught us how to live. A Celebration of Life & Memorial is being held at Metcalfe Park on May 1, 2021 starting at 11am. Please bring your chairs, food and drink for potluck, and stories to share. At about 12pm, a brief service and opportunity for those who would like to speak will be held. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Arizona Youth Partnership - Mohave County Shelter Care, Providence Place or Harbor House, at azyp.org, to continue her work to help the youth of this community that are most in need. Arrangements were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory and Memorials may be sent to the funeral home. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com To send a FREE card to the family go to www.sendoutcards/lietzfraze