Sandra (Sandy) K. (Goodwin) Raasch, 81, of Yuma, AZ went to be with God while she was comfortably asleep in the arms of family members on October 9, 2022.    Sandy fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer for nearly 9 months.  Born in Lancaster, PA, she was the daughter of William M. Goodwin and Frances R. (Miller) Nitroy and Michael J. Nitroy.  She was the loving wife of Gary Raasch and had been married nearly 42 Years

Sandy was the epitome of the perfect Hallmark Mother's Day Card and when among friends she was quick to point out any recent accomplishments and endeavors of the children and/or grandchildren.  Her desire, all names must be mentioned: daughter, Teri Tyson, Naples, FL, children Katie Watson, Boulder, CO and Samantha Watson, Los Angeles, CA: son, Thomas Tyson (Patty) Norman, OK, children Captain Ben Tyson, USAF (Jalyn), Navarre, FL and Alix Coleman (Justin), Okinawa, Japan: son, Matthew Tyson(Jillaine), Fairfax Station, VA,  children 2Lt Taylor Tyson USA RN, San Antonio, TX,  Joel Tyson, State College, PA and Jared Tyson, Fairfax Station,  son Michael Tyson(Shan), children Austin Tyson(Andrea), Fredericksburg, VA and Morgan Moran(Hunter), Jacksonville, NC, son Matthew Raasch(Barb), Lancaster, children Tara Raasch, Lancaster, Michael Raasch, Statesboro, GA and Karli Raasch, Lancaster, daughter Jessica Sines(Randy), Pleasantville, PA, children, daughter Sydney Sines,  Aliquippa, PA and son Campbell Sines, Pleasantville, PA and daughter preceded in death Danielle White, child Braxton White(Stephanie), Shippenville, PA.  In addition, three great grandchildren.

Sandy was a 1959 graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School and loved attending the reunions.   She attended and graduated from Wilmington(DE) General Hospital School of Nursing in 1962.  Sandy was very proud of her subsequent employment at St Joseph Hospital.  After retiring from the employ as office nurse of a Lancaster Orthopedic Practice, Sandy and Gary purchased and operated Hurst Sports Apparel for nearly 15 years.  Sandy loved the sun and the beach, so it was normal that her and Gary relocated to Rehoboth Beach, DE.  She hated the cold as much as she loved the sun therefore it became necessary to purchase an RV and transition to winter snowbirds for 9 years in Yuma, AZ before they again relocated permanently to Yuma nearly 11 years  ago.

Many years ago in the early 90's, Sandy was a volunteer with the Lancaster Zipper Club and made almost daily excursions to Lancaster General Hospital answering the many questions of recent open heart surgery patients seeking reassurance.  She loved helping others and enjoyed participating in several charitable "walks" throughout the city.

Sandy served on various committees in her beloved church.  Her passion was the Glorious Quilters which met weekly and made quilts for members of the community and Mission Churches in Arizona.   She was very proud of her contribution.   Sandy truly loved to dance and never hesitated to get out on the floor even after she became partially disabled.  She played various card games with the ladies, the kids and grandkids and enjoyed listening to Neil Diamond (Loud).   She was also a force to be reckoned with playing Texas Hold Em and always had her beautiful contagious smile when she won.   In the mid 80's Sandy became an avid baseball fan of the Chicago Cubs and spent many afternoons in the bleachers of Wrigley Field;  New York Yankees' games were rarely missed and schedules were often juggled to accommodate game times.

Wouldn't be a proper obituary without mentioning some of her quirkiness:  if you ever said "goodbye" to Sandy, she would immediately admonish you and say "don't say goodbye, say see-ya".... goodbye was too permanent.  The other was, when talking to any family member on the phone, the conversation ALWAYS ended with "drive carefully" and recently "even fly carefully"... a greeting card would be marked DC after her signature.  Though certainly not quirky, it would be an injustice not to mention her fervent patriotism; she wore it on her sleeve and didn't allow it to be called into question.  Throughout the years Sandy and Gary travelled the country attending innumerable military events and parades and just as many military concerts

Sandy will be missed in community, church and particularly in family.  Many glasses and/or bottles will be raised in her memory and stories will certainly become exaggerated as they are retold through the years.

A Memorial service will be scheduled for the future,  Please omit any flowers; you may consider a donation to Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church, Glorious Quilters, 11273 E. 40th Street, Yuma, AZ 85367 or Hospice of Yuma, 1824 S. 8th Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364.  A digital Guest Book is available with Sunset Vista Funeral Home, Yuma, AZ    www.SunsetVistaFuneralHome.com