Sandra Moran Pletcher
Sandra Moran Pletcher, 46, lost her battle with cancer on November 7, 2015. Sandra was born in Topeka, Kansas on December 20, 1968 to Allen and Cherie Ginter Moran. She grew up in Dover, Kansas and graduated from Mission Valley High School in 1987. Sandra holds three degrees from the University of Kansas: a BS in Journalism, an MA in Public Administration and an MS in Anthropology. She has worked in many fields including political speech writing, newspaper journalism, archaeological tour management, and serving as a professor of Anthropology at Johnson County Community College for14 years. She also was the author of four books. She is survived by her spouse, Cheryl Pletcher, her mother, Cherie Moran (Tom) Myers, her father, Allen (Liz) Moran, a sister, Lauri Moran, a half-sister, Amanda Moran (Terry) Gottschalk , a nephew, Blake (Kayla) Moran, a niece, Jaycee Moran, and a step-brother, Phil (Kristin) Myers. Beyond her family, she leaves behind countless friends and colleagues as well as thousands of devoted readers of her books. A memorial honoring Sandra will be held in the Capitol Federal Room of the Regnier Center on the Johnson County Community College campus from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 14th. All who want to celebrate Sandra's life are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Golden Crown Literary Society (www.goldencrown.org/donations/), a nonprofit 501c3 organization. In the memo line for donations please note "Sandra Moran Scholarship Fund."
In her own words: "Sandra was a teacher, writer, and international woman of intrigue—though mainly a writer. When she was not running around Kansas City (literally) or torturing college students with the fundamentals of anthropology, she could be found in her lair listening to Pandora and making up stories." All of us left behind will forever miss her presence.
D'Ann Ford says
My deepest condolence to Cheryl and family. I only met Sandra recently but it in the little time I spent with her she made me feel like we have known each other for years. I will celebrate her life with smiles, laughter and love when thinking of her.
Tim & Lori Anderson says
Cheryl and Family; Our love and support are with you in this difficult times. Peace to you and know that
Sandra pain and suffering is ended and that she is at peace. Blessings and love to you and yours. Until we be together again. xxoo
Rebecca Maury says
I am so deeply sorry that she is gone. I will miss her so and I know I am far from alone! She had such a positive impact on so many lives.
My most profound condolences to Cheryl and the Moran family.
Carol Branson says
????????????????????
Those were supposed to be blue hearts.
My thoughts are with you.
Maggie Blankers says
Gary and I are very sad to learn about Sandra's passing. Gary was just getting to know her through Like Me Lighthouse. We love you and are praying for peace for you.
Love, Maggie and Gary
Dk Linda says
Sandra was an extraordinary and exceptionally special gift to all of us.
How beloved and cherished she truly is, by so many, is a testament to her life, extremely well lived. She touched so many hearts and souls, profoundly. Her generosity, kind-heartedness and spirit shined so bright, the world seems dimmer without it. I can't convey how much I revere her, and how grateful I am to have known her.
With all my heart and soul, my thoughts are with Cheryl Pletcher, Cherie Moran, Lauri Moran and all of Sandra's family and friends, wishing you peace. You're not grieving alone. Praying that you can feel all of our sincere hearts blanketing you in comfort in these difficult days, weeks, months ahead.
Dawn Carter says
I am deeply saddened to see such an amazing, vibrant, and generous soul gone from our lives. Heaven just received an angel. She will always live on in all those lives she has touched. I am grateful for the time I knew her, and even more so that she was my friend.
I cannot imagine what her family and wife is going through. We had her for a short time, they had her not long enough. My condolences to Cheryl and her family. 🙁
Elizabeth Sims says
"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the winter time; it is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset." –Last words of Crowfoot, a great hunter of the Blackfoot
Laura Yarbrough says
Even though I don't know her and never met her, it sounds like she was a great woman. My condolences.
ANNETTE and KIM says
We didn't know Sandra for a long time but it was filled with laughter— pure joy.
Thank you Sandra.
ANNETTE Clancy and Kim Delgado
Traci Partin says
I, among many, had never met Sandra but I am a reader and know her through her books. She definitely impacted so many lives and know she will be missed.
Prayers and Peace to Cheryl and her Family.
Shana Segat says
If life was measured by the amount of hearts a person touched, Sandra lived a million years. How truly lucky this world was to have her in it.
April Allred says
Sandra was such a bright beam of light for so many including myself. Her love of life and her crazy wonder sense of humor always made me smile and feel a little better for having known her!
My thoughts and prayers are with Cheryl and her family.
Patty Schramm says
Deepest condolences and sympathies to Sandra's family, friends and many, many acquaintances. I'm glad I was able to meet her, however briefly, in this life.
Cheryl Orahood says
I met Sandra in Dallas at the Con. What impressed me about Sandra was how kind and friendly she was to each of us even if it was your first time to meet her. I will miss her beautiful Smile. Blessings and prayers for Cheryl and Sandras family and friends.
Tanya Cortese says
Though I've never met Sandra, I feel as though I know her. My condolences to her wife, family, and friends.
Darlene Vendegna says
Please accept my sincerest condolences. Although I've only known Sandra for a couple of years, I treasure the brief moments of laughter we shared at GCLS conventions. She was well loved by so many, for her humor, her heart and her brilliant writing. I hope that knowing her memory will live on in so many of us is some small comfort.
Krys says
There are no words to describe one who was a master of words. It is so inadequate, but my prayers are with Cheryl and all of the Moran family.
Sandy Rice says
I met Sandra through Facebook when we posted about her wonderful books. She was so gracious and so funny and I felt affected by her personality. I'm so saddened by her passing. My condolences to her family, friends and all her sweet grieving fans. She is missed.
Ona Marae says
My most sincere condolences to Cheryl and Sandra's family, and the legion of friends who loved her dearly. Our lives are brighter, funnier, more literate for having known her. Our world is a little wiser and a little sadder tonight. We carry her with us in our hearts. Much love, Ona
Sue Frampton says
Your smile will be missed on Facebook along with you pie charts and videos. My condolences to her wife, family and friends. A great loss to us all.
Elaine Lynch says
The parents of Sandra raised a spectacular human being. I have known Sandra the last 3 years, she was a complete delight, smart, funny, and very kind. We are a poorer place without her. My only comfort is picturing her having a beer with my Dad in the great bar in the sky (while she isn't off somewhere learning something new.) My prayers are with those who miss her so very much. Sincerely, Lainie & Lee Lynch
Alyscia Taylor says
Sandra was such a bright, loving, funny soul. We were different in many ways but I loved her quick wit and intelligence. It made for great conversation. I will miss her. My heart goes out to Cheryl, Lauri, and the rest of the family. Know that I will be thinking of you and Sandra all the rest of the days of my life.
Matty Benkofske says
Cheryl, I send to you and the rest of Sandra's family my sincere sympathy. It is my hope and prayer that for now you are surrounded by friends and family and soon, very soon you are surrounded by only good memories of her.
Julie Harrison says
I love you and miss you Sandra!! Thanks for being a wonderful friend if only for a short time. Til we meet again rest with the heavenly angels!!
Gail Trabucco says
My heartfelt concolences to Sandra's Wife ,family and friends. rip
Donna J. Shawver says
Though we never met, I feel blessed to have known of you. I wish peace and calm for all who know you and lost you! Life's unexpected inconveniences are never planned. I know you are loved and will forever be missed. RIP Dear Sandra…Prayers for your wife and family. May they find comfort in your unconditional love for them. It will never fade!
Marissa says
What an amazing person she was. My condolences to Cheryl and family.
Ann & Mark Raab says
Mark and I are so deeply saddened by the passing of Sandra. Sandra was a friend and colleague, but those words don't sum up her impact on our lives and the lives of others. She was a truly beautiful human being, inside and out, and the world is less bright without her in it. We will be out of town this weekend, and I am very disappointed that we will be unable to attend her memorial service. We will, however, be thinking of her on Saturday, and sending our love and good thoughts to all those she leaves behind. We are blessed to have known her.
Terry Baker says
I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting Sandra personally. We chatted on Facebook mainly about her books. I loved her sense of humor.
I'm sending mine and Jean's sincere condolences to Cheryl and the rest of Sandra's family.
A light has gone from this world.
Rest in peace my friend. xo
Donna Wells says
My sincere condolences to Cheryl and family of Sandra.
Rosemary Moore says
My condolence to Cheryl and family. I was fortunate to have met Sandra in New Orleans and became friends. She truly was an an amazing woman. Good spirited and larger then life. She will be truly missed.
Pat Adams-Wright says
To Cheryl and all Sandra's family and friends. Love will impact the world and I, amongst many, felt Sandra's. It's not often love is filled with pie-charts, DBAPs, blurry photos, pork rinds and frequent mentions of syllabi, but how I wish I was seeing one today. I am so deeply saddened by the loss of this amazing woman, but my grief is nothing when compared to yours. Love and light to you all. xx
Lorraine Druidswolf Groves says
I never had the opportunity to meet Sandra, but what a wonderful humanitarian she was, I so enjoyed reading her books. My deepest sympathies to Cheryl and the whole family at this very sad and difficult time. May she be in your hearts forever.
Lee McleanHoule says
My deepest condolences to Cheryl, Lauri and all the family. I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. I never met Sandra but I am saddened by the loss. Facebook friends are "real" friends in every sense of the word and the loss is devastating but nothing compared to what you are going through. Take strength from the outpouring of love and support from the base of her friends and yours and from each other. May when you read all these entries that you take comfort.
Lauren Willis says
Our deepest condolences to Cheryl and Sandra's family. She was a beautiful person–inside and out–and will be greatly missed. Sending our love to you all during this difficult time.
Pam Sloss says
Sandra was a shining light that touched so many people. I met her at the GCLS Con in Dallas and was honored to get her first book where she wrote a wonderful comment – which I will treasure and cherish. My condolences to Cheryl and Sandra's family. Her presence will be missed at future GCLS Cons plus on Facebook. Her posts were read by many and brightened our days.
Amber and Jennifer says
Our deepest condolences to Cheryl and family….Extraordinary writer, exceptional person.
Melissa Decima says
My deepest sympathy to Cheryl and Sandra's family. I never got to meet Sandra other than on FB. I loved talking to her and reading her books . Her smile, wit, and humor was like a breath of fresh air . She was an amazing woman . I fell so honored to have met her . She will be greatly missed .
Yolanda Corona says
I cannot find the words to express my sadness and grief to the loss of such an inspirational woman, Sandra Moran. My heartfelt condolences and prayers for her wife and family. She will be missed BUT NEVER forgotten!
Sean M. Daley says
To Cheryl and all of Sandra's family – I am deeply sorry for your loss. While her time with you all was way too short, the profound and positive impact she had on the lives of so many, particularly her students, colleagues, and readers of her books, will keep her memory alive and vibrant for a long time to come.
Heidi Dyer, Cape Cod, MA says
Heartfelt sympathy for Sandra's family and friends. I am an avid reader and fan or her work. Peace be with you.
Ben Bigler says
Cheryl and family, I am so sorry.
Sandra seemed to have the innate ability to connect people; to herself, to each other and to the possibilities of joy, love and creativity. Just about any time I thought that she had accomplished a life goal and might rest on those laurels, she would burst ahead with something even more wondrous.
She is a dear soul. A rare treasure.
Maritza Cano says
God has recieved a Beautiful Angel. My Condolences to her Wife, Family and Friends.
So Sorry For your Loss!.
Suzie Carr says
Deepest sympathy to Sandra's family, friends, colleagues, and readers. She left quite a legacy, and I hope her bright spirit continues to shine on those she touched.
Don Adams says
Such a soul! Bless you for your part in enlarging it — you would not be here if you did not… and may we find the courage & inspiration, in spite of our grief, to manifest that magic that Sandra saw and brought to life in each of us.
Jane Morrison says
Although Sandra and I never met face to face we had shared correspondence and interacted on-line and I am honoured to have a signed copies of a couple of her books with beautiful messages written in each. In spite of that limited interaction she had an amazing impact on my life and I can not even begin to imagine the impact she had on those around her and their devastation at this time. She was a very special and inspirational person and will be sadly missed. My wife Jacky and I would like to pass our condolences on to Cheryl and all of Sandra's family.
Ronda says
I never met Sandra and for that I am sorry but what I have learned about her through her author friends and readers of her books is that she was a force to be reckoned with. She was taken away too soon and I send my deepest condolences to Cheryl and her family and friends. May you take comfort she didn't suffer long and that right up till the end she had her brilliant mind and spirit..and that will always live on as well as the love she had for you.
Meg and Joanne JohnSon says
The world has lost an incredible light. Cheryl our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of Sandra's family and friends. May her incredible smile, love,laughter and poise bring peace and love to your memories. May her name always be cherished as a blessing.
Heather Bennett says
My deepest sympathy to her wife and family. Her soul and words will always live forever. She will be deeply missed by thousands of people.
Rev Robert Sherman says
I am sad, very sad. However, I live in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. May Sandra' soul and the souls of all the departed Rest in the Peace of the LORD. This is the Word of the LORD. Thanks be to GOD.
Hellie Haldane says
I never saw this coming, Sandra. I thought we'd have many years ahead to know one another and get better acquainted. I haven't known you long but in the spance that we had, you were a shining star, a rarity, someone who cared and mattered. I miss you, your spirit fills our hearts…
Angela Collings says
Sandra and I were only Facebook friends but I could see what an amazing person she was. RIP you will be so missed x
Jessica Samuels says
Dear Scoops,
It has been almost 30 years since you and I were camp counselors together at Camp Daisy. You loved your bicycle, a cold pop from the machine, Barbara Streisand and journalism. We had many laughs and bug bites that summer. Later as college roommates, you helped me get my bearings at KU. Time passed and you tracked me down. It was great to hear from you and we promised to get together. I'm so sorry that this promise is now broken.
I'll always remember you,
Bev Vogel says
My sincere sympathy to all who knew her. She was filled with joy that she spread throughout her world. I knew her as a student in the MPA program and she was one of my favorite and memorable students. God rest her soul.
Joan Moore says
I never had the privilege of meeting Sandy but my wonderful daughter-in -law Anne Moore spoke so highly of her, wish I could of known her. My deepest sympathy to all of you who had the privilege to know her. Joan Moore
Mercedes Lewis says
There are not words I can speak at this time that reflect the impact Sandra had in my life. There's a gaping hole in this physical realm. But, my heart is filled with her smile, her laughter, her love of life and learning, and her light. My condolences to Cheryl and those even more greatly impacted by this loss. Sandra is now my new forever rainbow.
Andi Marquette says
No one was ever a stranger with Sandra. All who knew and loved her share a collective grief, but we also stand in support of Sandra's family and friends, to whom I offer my deepest condolences. The world is a much richer place for Sandra's having been in it and I hope that in the midst of our grief, we can celebrate her life, and that the memories we have of her can help bring some comfort in the coming days.
Danette Michaels says
To Sandra's wife, family, and friends, I was saddened to learn of Sandra's death. We were colleagues at JCCC for the last several years. She was so smart and funny and very well-loved by her students. One student told me that his class with Sandra was so much fun and that he thought she should consider a second career in stand-up comedy.
I am very sorry for your loss and that the world lost such a fine person far too soon .
Elizabeth Andersen says
Sandra's wit, intellect, and goodness inspired countless people. She radiated pure joy and kindness wherever she went. I will treasure our friendship for the rest of my life. Cheryl, Cherie, family and friends — I am so sorry for your loss.
Jenny and Amanda says
We want to offer our deepest condolences to Cheryl, Lauri and the Moran family.
Jenny Thayer-Wood & Tobias Wood says
She sounds like someone we should've known. It is so clear that she has left a legacy of love, laughter, and learning in her wake. Her life will carry on in all of these things.
Ivana Radovanovi? says
My most heartfelt condolences to Sandra's family and friends. RIP
Irene Chege says
My deepest condolence to Cheryl and Family. Sandra was a wonderful gift from above, always left you in smiles. Praying for you guys to find peace and acceptance. Hopefully she's in a better place. RIP Sandra Moran, you'll always be missed by many.
Liz Gibson says
There are no words that can possibly relay the feelings that so many of us are experiencing right now as we try to grapple with losing such a wonderful, vibrant and accomplished woman, writer and friend. Sandra was one of those people who made you feel like you'd made a new friend the moment you were introduced to her. Her contributions to the GCLS Writing Academy touched many of our newest authors, and the scholarship fund created in her name will allow her to continue to touch so many more lives of our future authors.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Cheryl, Sandra's family and all of Sandra's friends. Sandra will live on in her books, treasured by so many.
Dianne Dick says
My most heartfelt condolences to you Cherie, and your family. When I read the article in the paper, I just knew it had to be your "Sandy", of whom you spoke of so often, when we worked at the vet clinic. She must have grown into quite an accomplished young lady! Miss not running into you, as time flys by. Still living in the same old place. Give me a call. Would love to visit. May the love of everyone, sustain you during this great loss. Love to all. Dianne
Jan Lee says
Onto the next wonderful chapter Sandra. Your beautiful Soul lives on. Peace for all who love you..
Jennifer S. Gillard says
My deepest sympathy to Cheryl and the Moran family. I was devasted on finding out Sandra had passed away. She was a remarkable and caring woman. I stumbled upon her first book Letters Never Sent 3 months after my mom passed away from breast cancer. I couldn't put the book down. It was just so refreshing to read her literary work. I emailed her to let her know I enjoyed her book. I was not looking for a response back but it spoke volumes of the person she was. I never met her in person but her emails were always uplifting. She was but for a season in the lives she touched but forever a bright star the world was grateful to know. Thank you Sandra and God bless you!