Sandra M. Melvin

Obituary Sandra Jean MacAulay Melvin May 1, 1951 – August 5, 2014 Sandy MacAulay Melvin, 63, passed away on August 5, 2014.  Daughter of the late Thomas and Phyllis MacAulay, she was born on May 1, 1951 in Grove City, PA and then grew up in the New Castle Delaware area.  She graduated from William Penn High School and the University of Delaware.  Upon graduation, Sandy accepted an opportunity to teach Special Education in Australia.  She returned home to later travel on a road-trip cross country, then settled back in Delaware and continued to teach, was married and blessed with a wonderful daughter.    As life continued, Sandy began to suffer the anguish of mental illness.  Thank you to those who helped her through an unmatched journey as a daughter, sister, teacher, friend, patient, wife and mother. While it may have been a path of the less traveled, she managed to see the good and the humor in all things.  Sweet, caring and faith based, she exhibited the gift of helping those with special needs throughout her entire life and will continue to do so as her spirit lives on.  Through her story, the family hopes to educate communities and families by spreading greater awareness about mental illness.Sandy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Brandon Mallon of Annapolis, MD; former husband John E. Melvin of Millsboro, Delaware; sister Debra Nock of Mechanicsburg, PA; sister and brother-in-law Marcie and Steve Lee of Landenberg, PA; brother and sister-in-law Tom and Sue MacAulay of Landenberg, PA.  Nieces and nephew: Tammie Hodgson and Heather Gillis – Arizona; Scott MacAulay – Florida; Alexandra and Jessica Lee – Pennsylvania. A private service for family will be held in Annapolis, MD.  In honor of Sandy and the many families that struggle with mental illness, the family asks in lieu of flowers that donations in her memory be sent to: NAMI - Delaware (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Website: www.namide.org.  Phone: 302-427-0787 ext. 122 Private Services