Obituary of Sandra Marlene Ellis McEldowney

Sandra Marlene Ellis McEldowney, 79, from Boise, Idaho, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, January 25th, 2024, while recovering from two leg surgeries after an unexpected fall. Sandy was born April 2, 1944, in Boise, Idaho to Bert Jacob Ellis and Juanita
Ellis.

Sandy was looking forward to getting back to her normal routine after recovery, but the Lord needed her more. What a sweet, happy reunion waiting for her with her mother and father, and brother, Dwayne.

Sandy was the youngest sibling of three and grew up on dairy farms around the area.Growing up, she had a loving childhood. She was the little, red headed girl that was not going to be left behind. She had two older brothers, Dwayne and Bob and wanted to be at their sides day to day. She enjoyed riding horses from a very young age. She even rode a pony, named Ginger, from the end of 8th Street to Mile High and back. She rode bareback on that pony that her brothers broke for her. She loved playing with her paper dolls, dressing them in pretty paper clothes during her little tea parties. She also loved to wear her mother’s high heels.

Sandy went to McKinley and Central Grade Schools, then to South Junior High and graduated from Boise High School in 1962. After high school, she worked for Orville Styles working as a secretary with the Navigators, which was a Christian organization that reached out to young people to encourage them in scripture and faith in Christ. Sandy later started with the State of Idaho Department of Reclamation as a water rights clerk, maintaining the records of wells and water rights. She worked there for about three years. This is where she met her future husband, Don McEldowney. Don became her supervisor at the records department. Later, after Don was divorced, Sandy and Don began dating and were married on June 1st, 1979 at the First Presbyterian Church in Boise. Sandy was so happy to become a mother to Don’s son, Scott. As we all know, she loved children. With Don, Sandy learned to snow ski on trips to Sun Valley and was introduced to boating, which became one of their favorite things to do together.

Sandy later went to work with her mother in clothing sales at Juanita’s Fashions, where they traveled to markets to buy high end clothing for their customers in Boise. After her mother sold her clothing business, Juanita joined Mary Kay Cosmetics and Sandy soon followed suit becoming a Mary Kay Director. She also started her own home cleaning business working throughout the valley, doing that for a number of years.

Boating and camping was a big part of Sandy’s life. Going to horse shows, fishing, and hunting out at Grasmere with all her family were some of her favorite things to do. Sandy and Don spent a lot of time in Oregon visiting their son, Scott, his wife Rhonda, and their beautiful grandchildren, Morgan, Paige, Nichole and Peyton.

In 2004, Sandy was diagnosed with breast cancer. Throughout her year of chemotherapy treatment, Sandy kept her faith in the Lord, saying many times, “God is going to take care of me.” He sure did. Sandy beat breast cancer and remained cancer free the rest of her life. After Don retired from the state of Idaho in 2004, they enjoyed many trips to Coeur d’Alene to visit her niece, Heather, and her family. They also made countless trips to Oregon and Wenatchee to see grandkids, nieces and nephews and Great nieces  and  nephews. Family and children was Sandy’s joy in life. She loved to make memories, tell jokes, laugh, and above all, love. Sandy could always, without a doubt be counted on to call you, maybe many times, to check in on you, see how your health was, give advice on a great doctor to see, or just to call and say, “I love your sweet heart.” She maintained relationships by checking in with her family, making sure you got to your destination. If you didn’t call her she called you. If you were in the hospital, she made sure you were being taken care of by the best doctors. To Sandy, it was family, and faith. When she talked to you she wanted you to feel better. She wanted to make you laugh, with jokes or poking fun at someone. She understood love and wanted to share it. Sandy loved being with her brothers and their families. Sandy was an Aunt and a Mom to so many. She had so much love to share. A christlike love, that will never end, but will continue on for the rest of our lives. San San, you will be missed dearly. We love you so much.

She is survived by her loving husband, Don, her son, Scott McEldowney, (Rhonda), grandchildren Morgan, Paige, Nichole and Peyton, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, her brother Bob Ellis (Eve), of Eagle, Idaho, and a score of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and so many friends.Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Bert Jacob Ellis and Juanita Ellis and her brother, Dwayne Francis Ellis.

A dedication and burial will be held at Dry Creek Cemetery on Friday, February 2nd at 11:00 am. From there, a Memorial will be held at Cole Community Church, (8775 Ustick Rd., Boise, Idaho 83704) at 2:30 pm. Cookies and refreshments will be served directly after.

Flowers may be sent to Cole Community Church.