Sandra Rae Stanley

Sandra "Sandy" Rae Dawson Stanley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She was a twin to her brother Scott Dawson, who predeceased her. She was also preceded in death by her parents, James and Shirley Dawson, her brother Jacob Dawson, and her husband David Stanley.

She is survived by her sister, Melody Dawson Todd; her daughter, Amy Stanley Vanwyk (Lee); and her beloved granddaughters, Lilly, Lea, and AnnaBell. She is also survived by her niece, Michelle Todd; nephews, Timothy Todd (Jessalyn) and Zachary Dawson; great-niece, Sophia Dawson; and great-nephews, Gavin Todd (Deja McCubbin) and Will Todd.

Family was at the heart of everything Sandy did. She opened a daycare to raise Amy at home, caring for only six children at a time to ensure quality care. She truly loved kids and was often called “Mary Poppins.” When Amy started school, both Sandy and David volunteered in her classroom.

Sandy became a 4-H leader, helping kids develop skills and win ribbons at the County Fair. She and David supported Amy’s love of animals, leading her to compete in dog shows and horse events. They later became foster parents, providing love and stability for five children from three families.

Sandy had a big heart and a talent for making people feel at home. She noticed some neighborhood kids were not getting enough to eat, so she started making them breakfast. She was an amazing cook and found joy in feeding her family and friends.

She and David also provided respite care for teenagers, teaching life skills. One of those teens, Sam (Samantha), became part of the family and remained in their lives long after the program ended.

When Amy was in school, Sandy became an entrepreneur, running a cleaning business with her sister. Later, she worked at a nursing facility as a Housekeeping Supervisor. Her team primarily spoke Spanish, so she created language-learning tools and arranged for English classes, convincing the Administrator to cover the cost. She even developed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program before it became common practice.

Sandy mentored employees and helped them advance. Her leadership skills led to a promotion as Assistant to the Administrator, where she took on project management.

At 40, Sandy began losing her eyesight, eventually making it too difficult to work. But that did not slow her down. She became a grandmother to twin girls, Lilly, and Lea, followed by AnnaBell. She loved them deeply and helped care for them.

Sandy and David started a business sharpening scissors and clippers for pet groomers. Despite her blindness, she handled all the organization, scheduling, and finances.

She created "Tuesday Club", a special day for her granddaughters, great-nieces, and nephews. They played dress-up, had tea parties, baked cookies, celebrated holidays, and made lifelong memories.

After David’s passing, Sandy faced new challenges. She lost her left leg below the knee but learned to navigate life in a wheelchair and later with a prosthetic. She also battled heart issues but remained independent until just a few months before her passing.

Sandy touched many lives with her kindness, strength, and generosity. She will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 15, from 2 PM to 5 PM at Your Private Bar, 1701 25th Street, West Des Moines.