Sandra Jean Maxwell Copley

Sandra Jean Maxwell Copley (Sandy), 83, of Shawnee, Kansas passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at Colonial Village in Overland Park, Kansas surrounded by her children. She was born July 25, 1942 in Horton, Kansas, the daughter of Howard and Bernadine (Argo) Maxwell.

Sandy grew up in a farmhouse in Whiting, Kansas. When she was born, her father Howard was away fighting in WW II. She did not meet him until she was 2-½ years old. During those 2-½ years, she was cared for solely by her mother, Bernadine. Throughout her life, Sandy and Bernadine had a bond deeper than most mothers and daughters. Until the end of her life, stories of Bernadine and her antics brought a smile to Sandy’s face.

Sandy attended Whiting High School from 1956 – 1960. She was class Valedictorian and also participated in basketball and cheerleading.

Upon graduating in 1960, Sandy moved to Washington, DC and worked at the Pentagon as an administrative assistant for a General. Throughout her life, she enjoyed telling family and friends about her experiences at the Pentagon and especially the tense meetings she was in during the fall of 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Whenever one of Sandy’s children would ask her if she could keep a secret, she would say, “you know, I had top secret clearance at the Pentagon. I think I can handle it.” She quit working at the Pentagon upon the birth of her first child in 1964.

In 1977, Sandy moved to Plantation, Florida and worked at American Express as an administrative assistant. In 1982, she moved back to Kansas and from 1982 – 1984, she worked as an administrative assistant for a Vice President at Macy’s.

In 1984, Sandy started working for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri. She first worked as an administrative assistant at Hallmark, but after two years, transferred to Hallmark’s Sales Team. Sandy’s career at Hallmark was the most meaningful work of her life (outside the household). She enjoyed the people and culture at Hallmark immensely and was extremely grateful for the opportunities given to her at Hallmark. In 1991, she was awarded Hallmark’s R.B. Hall Sales Award, given to the top sales representatives at the company. She retired from Hallmark in fall 2011 as a sales supervisor.

Sandy married George DeWitt Copley of Auburn, New York in 1963 and divorced in 1980. They had three children, Michelle Anne Lane of Olathe, Kansas, Terri Marie Copley of Greenville, N.C. and Patrick George Copley of Overland Park, Kansas. George preceded Sandy in death in 1987.

Although Sandy and George’s marriage ended in divorce after 17 years, Sandy was eternally grateful for the four “Copley Sisters” she gained through her marriage with George; women who became her lifelong best friends: Annie Suska who preceded Sandy in death in 2025; Katie Bellnier of Merritt Island, Florida, Bobbie Bellnier of Auburn, New York, and Janie Meyers who preceded Sandy in death in 2005. Some of the best times of Sandy’s life involved these women and their families.

Survivors include her three children, her life partner of 40-½ years, Howard Curtis, her brother Gary Maxwell & wife Linda of Mayetta, Kansas, her brother Greg Maxwell & wife Linda of Whiting, Kansas and her sister-in-law Mary Maxwell of Manhattan, wife of her brother Larry Maxwell who preceded Sandy in death in 2021.

Sandy had seven grandchildren: Justin Lane (Lauren), Jessica Georgie (Evan), Maxwell Geritz (Emily), Raegan Copley, Zander Geritz, Ella Copley and Ryan Copley. She had five great-grandchildren: Geoffrey Georgie, Charlotte Lane, Gryffin Georgie, Liam Lane, and Gwynnen Georgie.

Sandy was truly a source of love, warmth and positivity to everyone that knew her. Her memory will live on in our hearts forever.

Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026 with visitation to follow until 6:30 p.m. at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, Kansas. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July, 13, 2026 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton, Kansas. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery with a reception after the burial at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church.

Memorials may be given to the St. Dominic Catholic Church or Catholic Charities c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, Kansas 66436.