Sandra "Sandy" Estelle Gilley

Sandra (Sandy) Estelle Gilley passed away on March 31, 2024 in Oklahoma City at the age of 74, after a difficult battle with multiple myeloma. Sandy was born on November 2, 1949 in Newark, New Jersey to Bernard Helderman and Ruth Kaplan Helderman. Sandy lived in New Jersey, Tennessee, and Florida before settling down in Oklahoma.

Sandy married Ben Gilley on July 17, 1978 in Dunlap, Tennessee. They moved to Florida, where Sandy helped Ben raise his two youngest sons, Kevin and Terry. Ben and Sandy owned a used furniture store in Florida and eventually moved to Oklahoma, the place Sandy considered as her home. Once they settled in Oklahoma, Sandy was employed as a legal secretary for many years. During the last 5 years, Sandy was employed by Windsor Hills Nursing Center as a receptionist. Sandy enjoyed spending time with the residents and considered the staff as her second family.

Sandy loved spending time with her friends, bargain hunting, taking drives around town with her beloved dog, Chip, and talking on the phone with friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Denise Helderman, her husband Ben Gilley, her stepson David Gilley, and his wife Vickie Gilley.

She is survived by her brother Paul Helderman and his wife, Edie, her nephew David Helderman and his wife Ashley, great nephew Flynn Scott Helderman, her nephew Michael Helderman, stepson Danny Gilley and his wife Treva, stepson Dean Gilley and his wife Beverly, stepdaughter Donna King and her husband Robert, stepson Kevin Gilley, stepson Terry Gilley, step grandchildren Austin Gilley, Chad Gilley, Wes Gilley (wife Jennifer), Matt Gilley (wife Jacqueline), Justin King, Randy Gilley (wife Jo), Diana Warner, step great grandchildren, Savanna Gilley, Ella Gilley, Natalie Gilley, John Gilley, Jeff Gilley, Hanna Gilley, Haley Gilley, Austin Clouatre, Caitlyn Clouatre, Logan Gilley, Jacob Gilley, Lucas Gilley, Alexis Gilley, Zoe Gilley, Maryah Warner, and Miyah Warner.

Sandy also leaves behind her dear friends Debbie Murphy, Debbie McBride, Jennifer Johnson, and Cindy Sims to cherish her memory.

Sandy will be fondly remembered for her compassion towards others, her generous nature, and her concern for the well-being of her friends and loved ones.

The family would like to thank the staff at Windsor Hills Nursing Center and Valir Hospice for the loving care provided to Sandy in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that those wishing to honor Sandy’s memory should send a contribution in her name to the activity fund at Windsor Hills Nursing Center, 2416 N. Ann Arbor Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73127; Attention: Michelle Simmons. Please include a note specifying the donation is in memory of Sandy Gilley.

Sandy’s celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The service will be broadcast via livestream, and a link will be provided on Sandy’s memorial page. She will be laid to rest in Chapel Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 8701 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.