Sandra “Sandy” Jane Stephens died Nov. 15, 2007 at the Johnson
Center Hospice in Centennial. She had a nine-year battle with
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and survived four previous attacks with the
help of her family and many doctors, nurses, physical therapists
and numerous other health care professionals.

Sandy was born Sept. 7, 1944 in Danville, Ill., to Edward H. and
Lela Jane Mellinger. She married Thomas L. Stephens Dec. 31, 1963
in the Methodist Church in Collision, Ill. Sandy and Tom have three
children, Scott Owen, Jason Alan and Edie Jane. They had three
grandchildren, Chance Isar and Justin Time by Scott and Christiana;
and Katelyn Jane by Edie Jane and Gary Iwata.

Sandy is survived by her husband Tom, her three children and
their spouses, three grandchildren; three brothers, Edward H.
Mellinger II, of Hawaii, Jerry L. Mellinger, of Florida and John J.
Mellinger, of Terre Haute, Ind.

Sandy and her family were members of the First United Methodist
Church of Castle Rock, where she was active as a youth leader, a
member of United Methodists Women, an usher, a Girl Scout leader,
and nearly any job that involved cooking or baking. She and Tom
were members of the marriage encounter group at the church for many
years.

She retired from the Douglas County School District after 20
years as a teacher’s aide for special and handicapped children and
teachers and office staff at several schools. In her last position,
she was a receptionist for the district headquarters at the Wilcox
Building.

Sandy was a sports fan, and she and Tom spent many hours
watching sports events in Denver, and over the years in 12 of the
major league stadiums in the United States. The couple was
fortunate to have watched the Colorado Rockies win the National
League Championship Oct. 15, 2007. They also liked to travel and
made several trips all over the world.

A celebration of Sandy’s life will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 29, 2007 at
the First United Methodist Church of Castle Rock, 1200 South St.
All of her family, her many friends and acquaintances are invited
to share in Sandy’s remembrance celebration.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in her memory
to: The Rocky Mountain Cancer Center Foundation, 1161 S. Vivan St.,
Lakewood, CO 80228, and/or The Sandy Stephens Memorial Water
Feature Fund at Porter Hospice at the Johnson Center, 5050 E.
Arapahoe Road, Centennial, CO 80122.