FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| Sandra Joy McGowan |
| February 21, 1942 - December 27, 2024 |
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Public Events and LocationsMemorial Service - Saturday, April 5, 2025, 10:00 AM at Holy Family Chapel, Convent StationReception - Saturday, April 5, 2025, 11:30 AM at Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille, Morristown |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 501 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 - 215-659-0911 - Map |
| Clergy - Holy Family Chapel - 2 Convent Road, Convent Station, NJ 07961 - 973-290-5200 - Map |
| Place - Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille - 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ 07960 - 973-539-6666 - Map |
| Donation - Hermits of Bethlehem - 82 Pleasant Hill Road, Chester, NJ 07930 - 908-879-7059 - Map |
Sandra Joy McGowan
Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Godmother, Advocate, and Friend, Sandra Joy McGowan passed away peacefully at age 82 on December 27, 2024, surrounded by those she loved.
Sandra, affectionately known as “Sandy,” “Frammie,” “Mimi,” & “59 Girl” was born on February 21, 1942, to Erick William Sundquist and Virginia Anne Sundquist (née Yerkevitz) against the backdrop of World War II.
Sandra was known for her contagious laughter, quick wit, passion for reading, doing New York Times crossword puzzles (in pen), Sunday football, potato salad, and coleslaw. She had an unwavering support for the underdog and spread JOY to everyone she met.
Sandra began her work at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 1982 as a Victim-Witness Coordinator. Her compassion and respect for crime victims were evident immediately. Sandra was viewed by judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers alike as a formidable advocate who never backed down. On one occasion, her determined efforts for a sexual assault victim caused a highly respected criminal defense attorney to label her “the Coordinator from hell.” It was a backhanded compliment she shared joyfully with her peers. An avid public speaker and champion for the voiceless, Sandra also served on the Board of Directors for NOVA (National Organization of Victim Assistance).
Sandra was recognized by many in her field as setting the gold standard in helping crime victims navigate the criminal justice system. She helped establish Deirdre’s House, a safe place for child advocacy, in 1996. In the aftermath of 9/11, Sandra led a coalition of volunteers to notify those who lost spouses, parents, children, and friends in the attacks. She provided them with personal notifications, trauma counseling, assistance with mortgages and rent, scholarships for education, and more.
Sandra was a pioneer in the victims’ rights grassroots movement in New Jersey, which led to the adoption of a Constitutional Amendment in 1991. A small group of ten homicide survivors formed a coalition to call for an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution to establish rights for crime victims. Sandra was one of only two non-victims asked to join the coalition. Early efforts were often rejected by governmental officials, and the coalition jokingly referred to themselves as the “Dirty Dozen.” Nevertheless, Sandra’s work as the lead advocate in two pivotal homicide cases in 1990 helped bring about a change in the Governor and Attorney General's stance. This resulted in the approval of the first human rights amendment to the New Jersey Constitution in 147 years.
She is survived by her daughters Kelley McGowan, Kristen McGowan, and Tracey Ashworth; her sisters Rita and Ginger; and her grandchildren Bennett McGowan, Cian Ashworth, Amelia Ashworth, Charlie Ashworth, and Maeve Ashworth. She was preceded in death by Michael McGowan and her granddaughter Alexis Katherine.
Upon hearing of her passing, a victim Sandra helped over three decades ago wrote to her family:
"Sandra gave lifeblood to the words of the Victims’ Rights Constitutional Amendment by treating each of us with fairness, compassion, and respect. She gave us hope and strength when, at times, we were lost."
Relatives and friends are invited to her memorial service on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Family Chapel, 2 Convent Road, Convent Station, NJ 07961 with a reception to follow in the Grand Ballroom at Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille (www.rodssteak.com)
If you are traveling from out of town, we have a block of hotel rooms at the Madison Hotel (Rod's is located inside the hotel). If staying at the hotel, you can walk to the Mass.
For additional information or questions, please contact Kelley McGowan 917-710-6032.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Hermits of Bethlehem, 82 Pleasant Hill Road, Chester, NJ 07930. If sending a donation to the Bethlehem Hermitage, please send an email to: bemass@yahoo.com with your intention for Sandra McGowan.
www.wetzelandson.com
Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Godmother, Advocate, and Friend, Sandra Joy McGowan passed away peacefully at age 82 on December 27, 2024, surrounded by those she loved.
Sandra, affectionately known as “Sandy,” “Frammie,” “Mimi,” & “59 Girl” was born on February 21, 1942, to Erick William Sundquist and Virginia Anne Sundquist (née Yerkevitz) against the backdrop of World War II.
Sandra was known for her contagious laughter, quick wit, passion for reading, doing New York Times crossword puzzles (in pen), Sunday football, potato salad, and coleslaw. She had an unwavering support for the underdog and spread JOY to everyone she met.
Sandra began her work at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 1982 as a Victim-Witness Coordinator. Her compassion and respect for crime victims were evident immediately. Sandra was viewed by judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers alike as a formidable advocate who never backed down. On one occasion, her determined efforts for a sexual assault victim caused a highly respected criminal defense attorney to label her “the Coordinator from hell.” It was a backhanded compliment she shared joyfully with her peers. An avid public speaker and champion for the voiceless, Sandra also served on the Board of Directors for NOVA (National Organization of Victim Assistance).
Sandra was recognized by many in her field as setting the gold standard in helping crime victims navigate the criminal justice system. She helped establish Deirdre’s House, a safe place for child advocacy, in 1996. In the aftermath of 9/11, Sandra led a coalition of volunteers to notify those who lost spouses, parents, children, and friends in the attacks. She provided them with personal notifications, trauma counseling, assistance with mortgages and rent, scholarships for education, and more.
Sandra was a pioneer in the victims’ rights grassroots movement in New Jersey, which led to the adoption of a Constitutional Amendment in 1991. A small group of ten homicide survivors formed a coalition to call for an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution to establish rights for crime victims. Sandra was one of only two non-victims asked to join the coalition. Early efforts were often rejected by governmental officials, and the coalition jokingly referred to themselves as the “Dirty Dozen.” Nevertheless, Sandra’s work as the lead advocate in two pivotal homicide cases in 1990 helped bring about a change in the Governor and Attorney General's stance. This resulted in the approval of the first human rights amendment to the New Jersey Constitution in 147 years.
She is survived by her daughters Kelley McGowan, Kristen McGowan, and Tracey Ashworth; her sisters Rita and Ginger; and her grandchildren Bennett McGowan, Cian Ashworth, Amelia Ashworth, Charlie Ashworth, and Maeve Ashworth. She was preceded in death by Michael McGowan and her granddaughter Alexis Katherine.
Upon hearing of her passing, a victim Sandra helped over three decades ago wrote to her family:
"Sandra gave lifeblood to the words of the Victims’ Rights Constitutional Amendment by treating each of us with fairness, compassion, and respect. She gave us hope and strength when, at times, we were lost."
Relatives and friends are invited to her memorial service on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Family Chapel, 2 Convent Road, Convent Station, NJ 07961 with a reception to follow in the Grand Ballroom at Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille (www.rodssteak.com)
If you are traveling from out of town, we have a block of hotel rooms at the Madison Hotel (Rod's is located inside the hotel). If staying at the hotel, you can walk to the Mass.
For additional information or questions, please contact Kelley McGowan 917-710-6032.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Hermits of Bethlehem, 82 Pleasant Hill Road, Chester, NJ 07930. If sending a donation to the Bethlehem Hermitage, please send an email to: bemass@yahoo.com with your intention for Sandra McGowan.
www.wetzelandson.com
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