Sandra Lee Panzenhagen

There were always cookies in the cookie jar in Sandy Panzenhagen’s kitchen. Chocolate chip. Or a chocolate sheet cake fresh from the oven, most often eaten warm before she had a chance to apply the frosting.

The treats were for her husband, Jim, their five children and their children’s friends, who were treated like family. Visitors were invited for dinner, as well. No one was turned away and if they went home hungry it was their own fault.

“Anything you needed or even wanted,” her daughter Lisa said, “she made sure you had it, and she did that for everyone and anyone, especially children.”

Sandy Panzenhagen died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, at the home where she opened her kitchen and her heart for half a century. She was 77. Close by were her husband; and the ashes of their son Jimmy, her mother and two rescue dogs.

Jimmy, a school teacher and budding artist, died at age 29 in 2002, leaving an unfilled void in Sandy’s soul. His artwork adorns their home to this day.

Born Sandra Lee Glew on Feb. 22, 1942, on Detroit’s east side, she was the oldest daughter of John and LaVerne Glew. She graduated from Southeastern High School where she played basketball and met her future husband. She and Jim were married for 57 years. They wrote each other daily love notes until her dying days.

Both were avid bowlers and part of their courtship took place at Eastland Bowl at Nine Mile and Kelly roads. The couple lived in Detroit before raising a family in St. Clair Shores. Sandy was a Scout leader and the consummate sports mom, serving as scorekeeper, concessions manager, provider of pregame cheeseburgers, team driver and all-around fan.

Her daughter Vicki described her as “the most loving, kind, gentle, considerate, compassionate, fighter for the underdog, hardworking Mom to all.”

Another daughter, Julie, said, “She dedicated her life to her family, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” prompting great-grandson Hunter to call her “Great Great-Grandma.”

Summers were spent on Lake St. Clair, or in Caseville where the kids were taught, “If you want to fish, you bait your own hook and you clean what you catch,” her daughter Lori said, adding, “It’s so much deeper than just being about fishing. It’s a fantastic life lesson.”

Sandy was a year-round coupon clipper and estate sale patron always looking for bargains that would benefit her family. Countless nights were spent playing euchre, or pinochle where the only thing better than aces around was the laughter that boomed from around the table.

Holidays meant servings of turkey, ham, kielbasa, golumpki, cheese spaghetti, potatoes, green beans, salad and bread for upwards of 20 people (drop-ins always welcome). The hostess fussed so much over her guests that echoes of “San, c’mon and sit down” may still be heard around the dinner table.

Quiet time meant coffee, crossword puzzles, thoughtful reflection and, most recently, time spent with their latest rescue dog, Dillon.

Sandy never was one to hold her feelings or opinions in check. With Jim’s help, she raised five strong-willed, independent-minded children who cared for her, loved and appreciated her deeply.

Sandy is survived by her husband, James R. Panzenhagen; four daughters, Lori Panzenhagen, Julie McArdle, Lisa Panzenhagen and Vicki Panzenhagen. She was preceded in death by son James Panzenhagen. Other survivors include grandchildren Samantha (Ryan) St. Pierre, Sean McArdle, Laila Panzenhagen and Victoria Panzenhagen; great-grandchildren Hunter and Cole St. Pierre; sister-in-law Carolyn (William) Darby and their son David (Shelly) Darby, and brother-in-law Tom (Christie) Panzenhagen.

A memorial service for family and close friends is planned. To honor Sandy and in Jimmy’s memory the family suggests contributions to the Melanoma Research Foundation (www.melanoma.org). Share a memory with the family at www.kaulfuneralhome.com.