Sandy McGovern Carter

East Lansing

Sandy McGovern Carter, 64, died of an apparent heart attack, at her home in East Lansing May 25, 2011, with her loving husband of 25 years, Reginald and her faithful Scottie “MacNicol”, at her side.

Sandy was born April 21, 1947, in San Diego, Calif., the daughter of John J. and Lois (Blake) McGovern. Formerly of Escanaba, Sandy was a graduate of the Escanaba Senior High School. She received her bachelor degree in clinical psychology from Northern Michigan University and her master degree course work at Western Michigan University. Sandy was employed as a policy analyst for the Michigan Department of Social Services. In addition, Sandy was proud to have served as a hospice volunteer for many years, and helped numerous families cope with terminal illness.

As a selfless and giving person, Sandy’s friends and family were very precious to her. Sandy and her two sisters, Julie and Susan, enriched each other’s lives, as sisters often do, and she will be an irreplaceable loss for those who knew her and appreciated her generosity and her sincere interest in sharing her most valuable asset of focused care and attention.

She enjoyed watching baseball, traveling and reading. Sandy loved gardening and was a long time member of the East Lansing Garden Club. Her seven Scotties were constant companions and provided great comfort over the years.

Sandy is survived by her mother, Lois McGovern of Escanaba; her husband, Reginald “Reg” of East Lansing; sisters, Susan (Richard) Parlato of Estero, Fla., and Julie McGovern of Escanaba. Also listed among the surviving family are many loving friends.

Sandy was preceded in death by her father, John J. McGovern, a Naval veteran who served as a submarine engineer during World War II, and survived the historical Pearl Harbor attack of 1941.

A memorial service will be held Monday, June 6, at 2:00 pm, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing with visitation 1 hour prior to the service. On line condolences may be made to www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com