Sandra Jean Carpenter, 65, of Hopkins passed away Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. Born Feb. 10, 1953, in Grand Rapids, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Maxine (Dixon) Rabideau.
Sandra married Robert “Kim” Carpenter on Aug. 17, 1979, and they enjoyed more than 39 years of marriage. She retired from Tiara Yachts after 37 years of employment and spent several years as a Project Hope Volunteer.
Sandra was also a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. One of her favorite pastimes was sitting outside in the sun watching the birds. She also loved playing with children and babies, especially her great-grandchildren.
Sandra had a warm and welcoming spirit. She considered her friends her family and strangers her friends.
In addition to her husband Kim, Sandra is survived by her children, Sandra Lynn Carpenter (Heidi Smith), Joseph Michael (Melanie) Carpenter and Molly Bea Carpenter (Bryan Arenivas); siblings, Terry Rabideau (Margaret Fouse), Florence (John) Kerley and Lynn (Terry) French; grandchildren, Dakota Carpenter (Jasmine Callahan) and Joshua Carpenter; two great-grandchildren, Raymond Carpenter and Ellie Carpenter; her beloved canine companion, Drake; special friends, Becky and Ron Miller and their family; and an incredible amount of extended family members and dear friends who were family to her that are too numerous to list by name.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Patricia Rhinehart, Bill Rabideau, Ed Rabideau, Louie Rabideau, Don Rabideau, Nora Kerley, Molly Bea Rabideau and Bonnie Tusing.
The family will receive friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel, on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be at the funeral home at 11 a.m. the following day, Friday, Dec. 14.
Memorial donations may be made to Project Hope of Northeast Allegan County, P.O. Box 241, Dorr, MI.
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