Sandra D'Arcy McWatters

Sandi was born Wednesday, June 29, 1938, in Kermit, Texas, the second daughter  of T. Earl and Mabel D’Arcy. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death  by her sister Peggy and husband Abraham Paler, her grandson, Sean Villegas, and his father Joe Villegas. She is survived by  her sister Barbara J. Corfield (Boyd), daughter Sherri Villegas, Doug McWatters (Lorri); grandchildren, Tiffany Villegas (Chris), Christina Sandoval, Jolene Hunnicutt (Tyler), Kristi Alcorn, Rene Alexandro, Cindi McWatters, Kelli McWatters, Stephanie McWatters, Cheri  Chandler (Bryan); great grandchildren, Hailey Villarreal, Sierrah Sandoval, Lorenzo Villegas, Alicia Joe Villegas, Xavior Wilson, Jiraiya Alcorn, Aleyah Alexandro, Amris Alexandro, and Corbin McWatters; Great-great-grandchild Gunner Hunnicutt.

She grew up in Albuquerque and graduated from Highland High School in 1956 (Go Hornets!!) and has maintained a relationship with many of her high school friends through an email contact.  Her career was with the US Government spending most of her 30+ years in Maryland at a government installation in the Quality Control division. Getting close to retirement, she transferred back to Albuquerque in 2000 so she could be  close to family.

Her parents were members of the Independent  of Odd Fellows and Sandi, and her sisters all joined the teenage girl’s organization, Arkisgo Theta Rho Girls’ Club #1 in Albuquerque, where  she was a very active member. As soon as reaching the appropriate age, she became a member of Triple Link Rebekah Lodge #1 and when she moved to Maryland became active at the Rebekah Lodge there.  After moving back to New Mexico, she became active in the Rebekah Assembly where she served as Assembly President in 2004-2005. In 2000 when the IOOF  expanded their all-male membership to women, Sand was one of the first women to join and became an active member of Harmony IOOF #1 and in the Grand Lodge of New Mexico. She served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in 2013-14 and when an emergency arose, stepped in again in 2015-16. She was also a member of the Albuquerque Encampment #4, and the New Mexico Canton #1. At the national level, she represented the Grand Lodge of New Mexico at Sovereign Grand Lodge serving 7 years as representative on the Constitution Committee.

She loved  to travel and going to the SGL conventions throughout the US and Canada was a favorite event every year.  She had a multitude of friends and acquaintances that she looked forward to seeing every year. Being able to vote (as a representative) for the first female Sovereign Grand Master was a real highlight of her years of attendance.  It was the last year she was physically able to attend.

Sandi was her own person, very outspoken and lived her life her way. She refused to give up smoking and that played a large part in her final health issues.  She loved her family, her friends, her lodge, her little dog, Strawberry, Mexican art and food,  and anything turquoise. You never saw Sandi without her turquoise jewelry.

Her remains will be resting with her Mother, Dad and Peggy at Sunset Memorial.