Sandra Brown

Sandra “Sandy Dunne” Brown of Paola, Kansas took the hand of Jesus and stepped into eternity on August 1st 2017. She was born Sandra Marie Dunne on November 8, 1961 in Marquette, Michigan. She was the youngest of three children born to James P. and Barbara A. (Thomas) Dunne. Sandy was a beloved daughter, sister, wife and friend to everyone she knew. An Air Force brat, she spent her early years living off base in Okinawa, Japan and later moved to St. Louis, Missouri. In 1970, her parents moved to Olathe, Kansas. She attended Kansas School for the Blind in Kansas City, Kansas until her sophomore year of high school when she transferred to Olathe High School and graduated with the class of 1981. She attended and graduated from Mid America Nazarene College in 1985 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Theology. She liked to tell people she would analyze them and then convert them. She was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was an Olympic Medalist and competed in swimming from an early age, often practicing four to six hours per day. She won over 30 medals in National and International competitions, highlighting with a gold medal in Holland in 1980 and a silver medal in New York in 1984. Sandy was also a talented singer. In 1991, she sang the National Anthem for both the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. She was a local favorite to kick off the start of the Paola Babe Ruth or little league seasons. She often sang for weddings, funerals, baseball games and many American Legion functions. She loved to sing at Lighthouse Presbyterian Church, her local church family and on most Sundays, you could hear her sweet voice ringing out loud and clear. Sandy loved social gatherings and celebrations. Holidays and birthdays were her favorite times of year. She knew no strangers and everyone that knew her loved her. She was passionate about her Christian faith and wanted to see everyone come to know Jesus. She was an intercessor and spent many tireless hours in prayer for family, friends, and those in need. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents Jim & Barbara Dunne, her sister Linda Hasenbeck (Mike, also deceased), and one nephew, Matthew Dunne. She is survived by her husband Tim, son David, daughter Elisabeth, brother James Dunne (Jackie) all of Paola, Kansas and one aunt, Sister Michealina Dunne of St. Louis, Missouri. She is also survived by ten nephews and nieces and five great-nephews and nieces and numerous cousins. While Sandy will be deeply missed, we are here to celebrate her life and her new birth into the Kingdom. She loved life, loved people and, most of all, she loved the Lord. Sandy is now in the presence of the Lord, seeing things we cannot even imagine. She is singing, raising her hands in praise, and kneeling at His feet touching the hem of His garment in praise and adoration. John 14:1-4 (NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” To share your memories of Sandra or leave a special condolence message for her family, please click the Share A Memory button.