Sandra Louise McNinch
Sandra Louise McNinch was swept into the open arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, October 23, 2023 - a salvation she had prayed about since discovering the Lord as a young girl growing up in Weirton, West Virginia.
Born in Pittsburgh on May 14, 1939, Sandy was the oldest child of Dr. Eugene R. McNinch, Sr. and Louise Wilson McNinch. As a toddler, Sandy, along with her mother and her younger brother Gene, moved to Fort Benning, Georgia, while her father served in the 4th Infantry during World War II. After her father returned from the War, Sandy's family moved back to Weirton, where Sandy spent the majority of her early childhood years. In the summertime, Sandy would often visit her cousins and maternal grandparents, Harry (a pastor) and Bessie Wilson, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was during these summers that Sandy discovered the faith she would carry with her throughout her blessed life.
In the early 1950s, Sandy's family moved to Dover, Delaware. With her love of music, her eager smile, and her cheery disposition, Sandy made many lifetime friendships during her teenage years in Dover – including an extraordinary circle of friends known as the "Dizzy Dozen". Sandy treasured and maintained these friendships throughout her life.
As a young woman, Sandy developed an ear for classical music and a talent for playing the piano. While in high school, Sandy accompanied the Dover High School Glee Club – the beginning in a long string of piano-playing roles that would bring Sandy both joy and acclaim in years ahead. An excellent student (she won her high school Spelling Bee four consecutive years), Sandy graduated from Dover High School in 1957 and the University of Virginia School of Nursing in 1960. In 1968, Sandy married her high school sweetheart, William Charles Paradee, Jr., and together they raised three children of whom they both are immensely proud.
When her children entered college, Sandy returned to nursing, launching an extended "second career" in geriatric care. While working full-time, Sandy earned her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from Wesley College in 1987 and her Master's Degree in Geriatrics/Gerontology from the University of Delaware in 1989. From 1989 to 2004, Sandy worked as a Supervising Nurse for the State of Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, and then as a Staff Nurse for the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill from 2005 to 2011. As in her personal life, Sandy's genuine compassion and unequivocal dedication to those within her care were profound (she often poured over client files at home after work, late into the evening, to help ensure that services would be promptly provided to those in need).
Throughout her life, Sandy balanced her passion for helping others with a nourishing contentment found in various creative outlets – including music, cooking, and gardening. Spending a few hours most days practicing the piano (her favorite composers were Bach and Rachmaninoff), Sandy accompanied Dover's Community Singers for many of its performances, taking particular pride in a production of Kismet and the recording of a Christmas album. An amazing cook, Sandy relished whipping up dozens of appetizers and scrumptious meals for her legendary house parties. Sandy also loved her garden, particularly her peonies and impatiens.
A voracious reader, Sandy managed always to have an inspiring book on tap and often stayed up reading into the wee hours of the morning. Additionally, when not busy spending time with her family and friends, working long hours, playing the piano, cooking, or gardening, Sandy found time (somehow) to volunteer with the Junior Board of Kent General Hospital, the Dover Century Club, and the Sprig & Twig Garden Club, organizations which tickled her interests and benefitted from her many talents. Old Dover Days was one of Sandy's favorite Dover traditions (she hand-sewed costumes for her children, which some of her grandchildren have since worn). And though never an accomplished athlete in her early years, as an adult Sandy developed quite the knack for a punishing game of tennis (ask her friends about her wicked backhand). Clearly, no moss ever grew under Sandy's feet, a trait she has passed along to her children.
Above all else, Sandy's world revolved around her many friends and extended family. She was more than generous with her time, and unsparing with her kindness. Sandy impressed upon her children and grandchildren the importance of education, faith, and hard work ("there are no substitutes, no short cuts"). She was and will always remain a shining example of the enormous capacity for all that is good, right, and just in humanity. We are all better servants for having known her.
Sandy was predeceased by both of her parents, as well as her beloved baby brother, James W. McNinch. Sandy is survived by her three children, John W. Paradee (Linda) of Dover, Jacqueline Paradee Mette (Luke) of Lewes, and William Charles "Trey" Paradee, III (Meghan) of Dover; six grandchildren: Cassandra Frances Paradee, William Nicholas Mette (Hannah), Henry Robinson Mette, William Charles Paradee, IV, Jackson McNinch Paradee, and Ethan Rineer Paradee; a step-granddaughter, Isla Garrison; and her younger brother, Eugene R. McNinch, Jr. (Peggy) of New Jersey.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Sandy's life will be held at People's United Church of Christ beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. A reception will be held in the Church's Fellowship Hall following the service. Burial will be private, at Lakeside Cemetery in Dover.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Modern Maturity Center of Dover's Meals on Wheels program.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com