Sandra Rae, "Sandy" McKelvey (Grahn)

Sandra Rae, "Sandy" McKelvey (Grahn), of North Ft. Myers, Florida passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2023.  Sandy was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia on February 2, 1945. She came to live in the United States with her mother in 1947. They joined her father in Lake Bronson, MN where Sandy spent her early childhood surrounded by the Swedish side of her family.  The family moved to Alaska, after a stop in Texas, where Sandy attended high school and eventually met her husband David McKelvey, while working at the local radio station. After marrying, Dave & Sandy moved back to his home state of Pennsylvania and eventually settled in Ft. Myers.

Sandy was always very creative and could figure out how to do just about anything she set her mind to. She and Dave purchased numerous old houses and restored them. She completed an Interior Design correspondence course and was a talented Interior Designer. Sandy taught herself how to make porcelain dolls and started her own business making miniature dollhouse dolls. She became quite well known as a modern-day doll artisan. In the late 70's and early 80's Sandy and Dave sponsored several Vietnamese families transitioning to life in America. This grew the McKelvey family in both number and love adding several sons and their extended families as well.

Later in life Sandy became an early childhood teacher and also spent a number of years traveling the world. She taught English in China and some of her favorite places include Egypt, Pakistan, England, Ireland, and Scotland.

Sandy was a member of The Trinity Church, where her husband, and eventually her daughter, Heather, were once pastors. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school and led the youth group. Sandy is preceded in death by her husband, Dave; her parents, Reinold Grahn and Norma Rasar, and her in-laws, George and Naoma McKelvey.

She is survived by her children, Amy Rae Buck (Rick), David A. McKelvey, Jr. (Linda), Heather Evans (Rod), Katy Sanderson (George); her grandchildren, Nicholas Stravous (Aimee), Alexandra Rae Brunetti, Nicole McKelvey, Patrick McKelvey (Michelle), Josh Evans (Ashlea), Mackenzie Johnson (Josh), Roddy Evans, Chloe Jane Evans, Olivia Sanderson; her sister, Mia Busha (Richard); as well as the entire PhamLe.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 13^th, 2023 at The Trinity Church, 2979 Lincoln Blvd., Ft. Myers, Florida 33916.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions in memory of Sandra Rae McKelvey are suggested to The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284 or online at https://www.heart.org/.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.