Sandra Joan Campbell

Sandra Joan Campbell (Manning) passed away 27 June 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the age of 82 surrounded by family. Sandy had been in stable health and doing well recently, but suddenly became ill. She was taken to the hospital where she passed away a few hours later from emphysema.

Sandra was born 22 March 1942 in Washington, DC to Madeline Manning (Watson). She has an older brother, Kenny. The 1940s was a tough time, and Madeline, now a divorcee, worked as a waitress at Union Station in Wash DC. Kenny was placed in the Episcopal Home for Children. Sandy, being very young, was cared for by her Aunt Ida in North Carolina. There, she spent time with her many cousins and they became very close, remaining close for most of her life. When she was old enough, Sandy joined her brother at the children’s home.

Madeline met and married Estanislao (Stanley) Madarang and they were able to get the kids out of the children’s home. Stanley had a daughter, Judith (Judy) Madarang and she joined Sandy and Kenny in the family. Sandy always loved Judy and kept in touch until Judy’s death.

Sandy graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1960. By then she had met John Campbell, an active duty Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer and they married. In 1963 they gave birth to a daughter, Karen while stationed at Loring AFB, Maine. As John left for a tour of duty in Vietnam, Sandy and Karen returned to Maryland. There Sandy worked at Andrews AFB Child Care Center. When John returned they were stationed in Minot, North Dakota. The family spent their time camping and exploring the Dakotas and Canada. Following the assignment in the cold north John was assigned to the United Kingdom, where they remained for 4 years. Making the most of the experience they traveled all over Europe. Sandy loved her time in England. She took up horseback riding, served as a Brownie Girl Scout leader, and took many creative classes and helped out at all Karen’s school events. The family then packed up and headed back to the USA where John was stationed at Scott AFB, IL. John would later retire there.

In Illinois, Sandy focused her attention on supporting Karen in her school activities, plays, talent shows, band, cheerleading, and many high school Pom-Pom competitions. She celebrated her daughter’s high school and college graduations and her commissioning as an Air Force officer. Also, Illinois is where Sandy became an entrepreneur and bought a ceramic shop and part ownership in an ice cream shop located in the mall nearby. She created a space for her customers at the ceramic shop that felt like a home. They had a regular group and celebrated all life milestones together in the shop. She considered them her family. Sandy also loved having a stocked freezer of ice cream to share with everyone.

In 1986 Sandra and John divorced. Sandy bought a cute little house that she loved with a nice yard and garden. She put a lot of her personal touches in it and if you know Sandy you know she liked to decorate with fake fruit, lots of flowers, and anything sparkly. She was very attached to her dog, Spanky, and often took him on errands. Before returning home, she always stopped at McDonalds drive-thru to get Spanky a treat.

Soon she was gifted with a son-in-law, Rick. Rick came with a daughter, Christy so Sandy now had a grandchild. Christy got to spend a lot of time with Sandy getting lots of ice cream and hanging out at the ceramic shop whenever she was in town. In 1998 Sandy was overjoyed to welcome a grandson, David. She cared for him whenever Karen had to perform Air Force Reserve duties. In 2000, she was elated with the birth of Jacob and headed across the pond to England, once again, to meet him. In 2002, she was introduced to her enchanting and beautiful granddaughter, Samantha. Sandy wanted nothing else but to be the BEST Grandma ever. Over the years she shared all her love and attention with them in Kansas, England, Illinois, Japan, and Colorado. In 2009 she decided to move to Colorado Springs to be near them full time. Although they were all living out of Colorado at the time Sandy became ill, she was able to talk to them before peacefully passing with John, Karen, and Rick by her side.

She is survived by her daughter Karen Zink (Campbell), son in law Richard (Rick) Zink, grandchildren Christine (Christy) Zink, David Zink; Jacob (Jake) Zink, and Samantha Zink; brother Kenneth (Kenny) Manning and sister in law Bonnie Manning. She is preceded in death by her mother Madeline Madarang (Watson), her step-father Estanislao (Stanley) Madarang, and her step-sister Judith (Judy) Madarang.

Sandy loved to visit with family and friends and laugh together, so a joyful Celebration of Life will be held Friday, 26 July 2024, at 2 pm at Swan- Law Funeral Directors in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We ask those attending to dress to celebrate not to mourn.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Angels of America’s Fallen www.aoafallen.org. In the notes section just type “In memory of Sandy Campbell”. Mom had a heart for kids and our military and first responders who give so much.