Sandee Sicard

Leading with her empathetic heart in all things, Sandee Sicard lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Highly creative, Sandee was gifted a wide range of artistic talents, including calligraphy, painting, and photography. Also, a very talented professional singer for most of her adult life, Sandee never sought recognition in any endeavor; it was always about using her God-given gifts to bring joy to others. Her greatest joy was being a wife and mother, and she cherished her family as her greatest blessing. She led by example, generously choosing loving kindness, forgiveness, grace, and compassion. In doing so, she blessed us richly.

1952 found most American considering themselves to be prospering. As the iconic musical film “Singin’ In The Rain” premieres at Radio City Music Hall, the popular Mr. Potato Head toy was first sold, and the world’s first passenger jet, The Comet, was produced, signaling the start of faster and cheaper air travel. The middle-class standard of living continued to grow and seemed to have no limits; it was definitely a time of great hope. Nowhere was there greater cause to celebrate the possibilities of hope than in the hearts and home of Shirley A. and Andrew J. Voss as they welcomed their daughter, Sandra, to their family on April 28 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Once Sandee’s father returned from serving abroad in the U.S. Army, the family settled into their home on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, where her sister, Cyndy, soon joined the family. Sandee attended St. Alphonsus Catholic Schools in Grand Rapids and began acting in small productions and singing at a young age. When Sandee was ten, her family, including her maternal grandparents, moved to Costa Mesa, California, in search of a drier climate to support her younger sister, Mellisa’s health.

While in California, Sandee’s brother Andrew was born, completing their family. Sandee attended Costa Mesa High School, and her keen eye inspired a passion for photography. When she was 17, the family returned to Michigan to provide support for her grandparents, whose health was declining. The family settled on 4 Mile Road in Grand Rapids, and Sandee completed her schooling at Northview High School.

Sandee sang with a band and started working professional gigs at Brandywine Restaurant and a few other places in the evenings. She also had one semi-professional singing endeavor during this time. In 1973, Sandee was hired to sing for a radio commercial, which piqued the attention of a local radio man, John Sicard, who needed to get a look at a real California girl. He reports that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. The couple married one year later and enjoyed a short honeymoon trip in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Mackinaw City. The following year, they traveled to Florida for a second honeymoon.

Sandee continued her day-singing gig at Brandywine and occasionally did a few night gigs. In 1979, her daughter Jocelyn was born, followed four years later by her daughter Stephanie. An amazing mom, Sandee was creative, fun, funny, and active. She relished sharing her many joys and passions with her daughters and singing and playing guitar at their special school events. Sandee also enjoyed tending to their vegetable and flower garden with John and the girls.

Always willing to share her talents in the service of others, Sandee sang at funerals and weddings and volunteered at the Voigt house in Grand Rapids, educating guests about the history of the times. She loved the Pioneer and Victorian eras of history; her attire and home decor reflected this period. Sandee also loved animals and volunteered at John Ball Zoo as an educator, taking animals to the local schools, especially Sid the python. She also owned and operated a Spencerian Script Company and was an active member of the Calligraphy Club in Grand Rapids.

Without a doubt, Sandee’s greatest joy was spending time with family. A great cook, baker, and mother to all, Sandee created a loving and supportive home that welcomed anyone in need of sanctuary.

After their daughters moved to California, Sandee and John traveled by train to visit them. They also continued to vacation in Florida. Sadly, in 2019 and 2020, Sandee began to experience the effects of dementia, and in January of 2026, she moved into the assisted living center.

As we celebrate Sandee’s beautiful life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories and in the honor of carrying her legacy of faith, hope, and love forward. Whenever we meet the day with gratitude, welcome a stranger as a friend, generously share our time and talents, sing and laugh with abandon, tend our gardens, and cherish time with loved ones, we keep Sandee’s memory alive and inspiring others as she inspired each of us.

On Sunday, May 18 2026, Sandra Kaye Sicard broke free from her bonds of dementia and passed into the loving arms of Jesus. “Today you will be with me in paradise”, Luke 23:43.

Heaven is now graced with her heartwarming smile.

Sandra was born April 28, 1952, in Grand Rapids, MI, to Shirley A. and Andrew J. Voss, who preceded her in passing from this life.

She is survived by her husband John of nearly 52 years, their daughters Jocelyn (Anthony) Jakubowski of New Bern, NC, and Stephanie Sicard of Grand Rapids, MI; sisters, Cynthia L. Westfield-Tomko of Rockford MI, Mellisa (Dawn) Voss-Hummel of Saint Louis, MO; brother, Andrew E. (Trish) Voss of Pulaski, TN; step-sister, Sandra Drayton of Grand Rapids, MI; nephews, nieces, cousins, and many dear friends.

The family invites you to the Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church, her long-time parish home, at 224 Carrier Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, beginning at 11 AM. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass and also on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49505, from 4 – 6 PM, with the Rosary being recited at 6 PM.

Sandee’s family would like to thank the caregivers of New Haven Assisted Living of Belmont and West Michigan Hospice for their compassionate care. Memorial contributions in Sandee's name can be directed to the Human Society of West Michigan.

To sign Sandee’s personal memory page, leave a memory, or a photo, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com