Sandy Dance Obituary

Sandra Sue Dance, age 75, passed away on July 3, 2026, with a view of the Gunpowder River at her home in Chase, Maryland. Sandy was a loving wife, attentive mother, active grandmother, devoted friend – and most of all – faithful servant of God.

She was born to Calvin & Jean Vana on July 20, 1950 and raised with her younger brother Steve in Towson and Timonium Maryland. She had a flourishing childhood, complete with hiding her unwanted dinner in the neighbor's bush, eating baloney from her grandfather's corner store in Baltimore, and long summer road trips to visit family in Kansas.

She graduated from Dulaney High School in 1968 and worked as a secretary for several local firms In 1970, she married Anderson Weller Dance, the love of her life, ministry partner, and travel companion for over 55 years. In 1972, they bought their first house in Kenilworth, where Sandy joined the picket line to (unsuccessfully) stop the construction of a shopping center a few blocks away – with a sign in one hand and a baby in the other. In 1978, they moved to the quieter, but still bustling neighborhood of Springdale in Cockeysville. On Gateridge Road, she would raise her three children Melanie, Tim, and Jason with an overflow of love, church activities, daily baked goods, and days at the pool. She never stopped being a mother and would later be actively involved in the lives of her nine grandchildren.

In 1983, Sandy and some neighborhood friends started Tried But True, a consignment shop for children's clothes. Although she soon sold her share of the business to return to being a stay-at-home-mom, she continued to shop there for her kids – and grandkids – ensuring that they always had the latest fashion (just a season after everyone else).

After inheriting a boat from her uncle, Sandy & Andy fell in love with the water, and bought their shore house on Bodkin Creek in Pasadena in 1983. There the family would spend long summer weekends swimming off the pier, boating on the Chesapeake Bay, and hosting parties for family and friends – highlighted by Sandy's homemade crab soup.

With a heart to serve inner city children and families in Baltimore, Sandy went to work for the Door in 1986. While there, she was trained in a specialized multi-sensory, phonics reading method, and would spend the next two decades teaching children from all walks of life to read – never turning a family down who couldn't afford tutoring.

In 1998, Andy & Sandy moved into their now famous family home, the Eastend, on the Gunpowder River. For the decades that followed, their home was open to lifelong companions, new friends, neighbors, church groups, local ministries, and anyone who just needed some river time. She loved evenings on the porch, kayaking on the river, and cooking for her next party.

Sandy was a lifelong learner and avid reader, devouring over 50 books a year, sometimes reading 3-4 books simultaneously. Her life was defined by service for Christ: teaching Sunday School, leading women's Bible studies, making meals for various church activities, chairing the annual Butterfly Ball with Forward Visions, serving on committees and hosting events for Young Life, tutoring children in reading, and ministering in juvenile detention centers with Uncuffed Ministries.

Andy and Sandy loved to travel, taking road trip all over the continental United States, enjoying God's creation, historic sites, and visiting family and friends. They were blessed to have many nautical adventures with dear friends, touring Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Bahamas, and even Greece.

Sandy is survived by her husband Andy; children Melanie (husband Mark), Tim (wife Karen), and Jason; brother Steve; and grandchildren Andie, Jake, Simon, Oliver, Jillian, Cybil, Charlie, Penelope, and Nick.

Sandy will be remembered for her generous hospitality, overflow of mercy, and godly wisdom. She embodied the theme verse of her life from Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

A time of visitation for family and friends will be held at Ruck Funeral Home – 1050 York Rd, Towson, MD on August 5, 2026 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm.  A memorial service will be held at Bethlehem Church (900 Bowleys Quarters Rd, Middle River, MD 21220) on August 6, 2026 at 11am.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Forward Visions, Inc. and/or Bethlehem Church.