Sondra Lee Taylor Strong

Sandra Lee (Taylor) Strong, 78, of Traverse City passed away Thursday, October 10, 2013 at her home, with her loving family gathered around her. Sandra was born on Wednesday, May 15, 1935 to Howard Lee and Sarah "Sally" Nevada (Brown) Taylor in Kalamazoo. She graduated from Mattawan High School in 1953. On Saturday, September 3, 1955 Sandra married the love of her life, Richard James Strong, in Kanley Chapel at Western Michigan University. The Strong's had made their home in Kalamazoo, Utica, and Lapeer before moving to Traverse City in 1970. Finding a church community became a priority and they became active members of Central United Methodist Church. Sandra felt her most important job was raising "her girls." She spent a great deal of time with other youth as well, teaching 4-H programs and summer camps. Working in an elementary school and the retail industry, a job was only worth doing if you did it well. Finding the good in everyone, she cultivated friendships that brought her untold pleasure. The greatest joy in Sandra's life was being with her family and especially her grandchildren. Sandra is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard; by her children, Jane Lee (Dan) Kloosterman of Traverse City, Julie Ann Strong and her life partner Arloa Raffler of Kalamazoo; her grandchildren Taylor and Sarah Kloosterman; her mother, Sarah Taylor of Kalamazoo; and a sister, Sally (Robert) Presutti of Naples, FL. Also surviving are her brothers-in-law, Richard Barkley of Naples, FL, and Neil Strong of Kalamzoo. Sandra was preceded in death by her father, Howard, her sister Irene Barkley and sisters-in-law, Beverly Bingham and Dorothy Strong. Visitation for Sandra will begin at 12 noon Tuesday, October 15in the Chapel of Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St., Traverse City followed by the Memorial Service at 1 p.m. The Rev. Dale Ostema will officiate. Inurnment will take place in the Columbarium of Central United Methodist Church. Rather than flowers, the family would ask that Sandra be remembered through memorial gifts to Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684 or to Heartland Hospice, 4020 Copper Ridge View, Suite 113, Traverse City, MI 49684 Please share your favorite memory of Sandra, or your condolences, by way of her online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Sondra Lee Taylor Strong

May 15, 1935 - October 10, 2013