Sandra "Sandy" Dowling

The Memorial Service for Sandy will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at Victory Church in New London with Pastor Jim Harley officiating. The visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Sandra "Sandy" Dowling, age 65 of New London passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Sandy was born on July 7, 1959 in Gouverneur, New York to the late Alvin Douglas and Carol (Noble) Finley. She attended Clifton-Fine Central School in Star Lake, New York. After her schooling, she had her son, James. Sandy worked hard to make ends meet. Working various jobs such as a health aid, waitress, house cleaner and any other job she could find.
When Sandy met Elmer Dowling, they moved to North Carolina, where she began working in retail. A short while later, they moved to Wisconsin, where she started a job at K-mart as a shelf stocker and Sandy worked her way up to store manager. After K-mart closed, she worked at Only Deals, where she also became store manager. Eventually, Sandy found her "retail home" at Dollar Tree. There she served as store manager for many years and was often asked to go to other stores to help out. It wasn't uncommon for her to work 75-90 stressful hours a week. Sandy stepped away from all of that to fulfill her dream of starting her own business. She ran Sandy's Dcor and More for 5 years. There she sold home décor, refinished furniture, rustic items and many more eclectic items. When that came to an end, Dollar Tree came to Sandy offering her a management position in the New London location. With her hard work, Sandy took the store to #1 in the region for sales, despite the fact it was one of the smaller Dollar Tree stores. She took pride in keeping the store clean and orderly for her customers. In 2020, Sandy was forced into retirement when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
The last four years, Sandy enjoyed doing her crafts, refurbishing furniture and making beautiful things from odds and ends. She was very good at what she did. Sandy finished her last piece of furniture just ten days before she passed. Kayaking, cross country skiing, taking walks and working in her greenhouse and flower gardens were among Sandy's favorite pastimes. Seeing the butterflies and hummingbirds was always a highlight.
Sandy enjoyed being with and helping people. Always a giver, never a taker and never complained!
Sandy is survived by her loving husband, Elmer; her son, James March Jr.; step-daughters, Goldie Lin and Majohnica Stolz; step-grandsons, Gavin and Issac and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Cathy and Randy Whitford, Jane and Terry Dowling, Bethany and Ralph Swim, Kim and Bill Magill and Joel Dowling and Tina Faford.
In addition to her parents, Sandy was preceded in death by her sister, Denice Finley and brother, Dan Finley.
Sandy came to know the Lord God Almighty three years ago. She and Elmer worshipped at Victory Church in New London, where they were recently accepted into the church membership. Sandy loved being a part of the Victory Church family and enjoyed Pastor Jim Harley. He was with her when she passed away. Pastor Jim gave us great comfort and support. Sandy came to know Jesus because of Pastor Jim. He truly is a man of God and we thank him so much for being there during this difficult time. Sandy only knew the Lord for three years and now she walks the golden streets of the Kingdom of God Almighty and resides in glory with Jesus. Praise be the Lord God Almighty.
"I will love you forever"