Sharon "Sandy" Stroupe Mooney

Sandra Stroupe Mooney died on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Asbury Care Center at Aldersgate with her daughter Meyer, close friends and brother-in-law by her side. She had met and fought the uphill challenges of ovarian cancer for ten months. Sandy was born September 18, 1944 in Charlotte, the only child of Charles Wesley Stroupe and Marjorie Hoyle Stroupe. Following graduation from Garinger High School, she furthered her education at Duke University, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. Upon returning to Charlotte, she started work at Mecklenburg DSS, beginning what would become a life-long career of service. A year later, Sandy returned to school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a Master's Degree in Social Work, thereby honing the skills and expanding the knowledge she knew to be necessary for counseling those with special needs. One of her first positions was with the Mental Health Center in Charlotte.

On August 23, 1969, Sandy married James Livingston Mooney of Charlotte and they welcomed their only child and daughter, Meyer Frances, in June 1974. Tragically, Jim died very unexpectedly and suddenly in 1985, leaving Sandy to quickly assume the role of devoted single mother while resuming a full-time career as a therapist at Thompson Children's Home. She remained a viable part of the staff at Thompson's for twenty-three years and then began a tenure at Alexander Youth Network in Charlotte, where she was a loyal advocate for the children there until her last day of work in December 2016. Sandy's passion for children, her caring concern for their families, her dedication to those whom she mentored were hallmarks of her personal mission. She had a never-ending quest for learning, especially about the impact of trauma on children's brains and how it could be alleviated by therapeutic means. Retirement was not a word in her vocabulary.

In addition to her professional life, Sandy was a member of Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, and in 1991 joined a collection of individuals charged with the development of a new community of faith, which became South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church. She served there as an Elder on the Session.

Sandy was unique in her dual loyalty to Duke and Carolina. She loved basketball and dutifully flew the Duke flag during all of the season. She enjoyed knitting, reading (especially mysteries), bridge and most recently became an avid and expert mahjongg player. Sandy was also part of a special and clever group of women who famously called themselves "Fun Friends Forever."

Sandy is survived by her loving daughter, Meyer of Charlotte; her brother-in-law, Thomas T. Mooney of Smyrna, SC; her sisters-in-law, Dr. B.J. Parsons of Zirconia, NC and Mary Frances M. Robertson of Fallbrook, CA; her cousin, Rebecca Stroupe Pitts of Charlotte; and many cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to her husband, Jim and her parents, Sandy was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Burton S. Mooney and Major Olin J. Robertson.

A service to celebrate Sandy's life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 7th in Harry & Bryant's "Chapel in the Oaks", 500 Providence Road, Charlotte with the Reverend W. Rush Otey, III officiating. The family will receive friends at a reception immediately following the service at the funeral home. Interment will be private at Sharon Memorial Park.

The family would like to express appreciation to the staff of Asbury Care Center for the excellent care given to Sandy during her illness. In addition, Meyer has much gratitude for the special bonds which her mother formed with many of those persons who cared for her.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider the NMT Program for Children at Alexander Youth Network, 6220 Thermal Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.