She attended The Grand Rapids Public Schools and graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 1978. After high school she attended Davenport University, earning an Associate Degree in Business in 1981. After college she spent a number of years at Williams Form Engineering, working her way up to Billing Supervisor. In May 1982, Sandy married Michael Leach and they were married 35 years until 2017. They had two children Kevin and Kelly who were the most important people in the world to her. There was nothing Sandy enjoyed more than being a mother.

Sandy enjoyed many arts and crafts, cooking, sewing, decorating, and making home improvements; she was always doing something to provide a cozy feel at home. This was especially true during the holidays, her favorite time of year, where she made it a family tradition to decorate the Christmas tree with an elaborate mix of lights and ornaments. She loved cooking meals for her family, often making custom decorated birthday cakes for her kids and a full breakfast every morning before they went off to school. Her chili and fudge recipes also became famous among friends and family. She made Halloween especially fun, taking her kids to the local fabric store each year to pick out a sewing pattern for their costume of choice which she would then craft to their liking.

As her kids grew older, Sandy's interests grew along with them. She became a big sports fan as they competed in basketball, football and lacrosse, attending each and every game. She volunteered for many different groups at their school including hot dog hot lunches on Wednesdays, driving for class field trips, wrapping presents for secret Santa shopping, and sewing a banner for the yearly 4th grade songfest, which was then used by St. Paul the Apostle school for many years. She loved being involved with her kids' school activities as much as she could.

In her down time, Sandy enjoyed watching movies on the Hallmark channel, home makeover shows, and the Bachelor series, her favorite ways to relax. Trips to Grand Haven with her close friends Kim and Deb, shopping with her daughter Kelly, scrap booking with old family photos, and trying new "silly little recipes" in the kitchen for her kids to test all created joy in Sandy's life.

After over 30 years as a mother, there was nothing Sandy looked forward to more than being a mother-in-law and a grandmother. She planned a memorable rehearsal dinner party for her son's marriage in 2020 and in 2021 met her first grandchild Brooklyn Rose. She had an especially close relationship with Brooklyn in her final months, babysitting her multiple days a week. During that time, she enjoyed playing with her on the "activity mat," teaching her to make silly noises with her mouth and calming her to sleep for afternoon naps.
In July 2021, Sandy was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable ovarian cancer. She lived an inspiring life alongside her kids and family in her final months, becoming an avid walker and completing her first 5K, the Turkey Trot, on Thanksgiving with her daughter Kelly by her side despite simultaneously undergoing chemotherapy. She also grew deeply in her faith throughout her journey, reading multiple prayers each night that she kept by her bedside and while also penning the beginnings of a book to share her journey with others.
Sandy was surrounded by her closest family and friends on her final Mother's Day before passing away peacefully the following morning on May 9th, 2022. She will be dearly missed by her children, family, and friends.

Sandy leaves behind:
Kevin Leach (son)
Kelly Leach (daughter)
Stephanie Leach (daughter-in-law)
Brooklyn Leach (granddaughter)
Michael Leach (former husband)
Judy White (mother)
Barb and Linda White (sisters)
Many nieces, nephews, and good friends

She is preceded in death by her father Dwayne White and mother and father-in-law John and Janet Leach.

There will be a memorial service for Sandy at St. Paul the Apostle Church on Friday, May 20th, 2022. Visitation will be at 12:00pm and the Memorial Service will begin at 1:00pm. She will be interred at Woodlawn Cemetery West at 2:30pm.

St. Paul the Apostle Church
2750 Burton St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Service Details. Visitation
When: Friday, May 20th, 2022 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: St. Paul the Apostle
Address: 2750 Burton St SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Memorial Service
When: Friday, May 20th, 2022 1:00pm
Location: St. Paul the Apostle
Address: 2750 Burton St SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Sandra Leach-White October 1, 1960 - May 9, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book