Sandra Lynne Mercer

Sandra Lynne “Sandy” Mercer died peacefully at her home on Thursday, August 8, 2019 in Albuquerque, NM. She was born September 21, 1962 in Dover, DE to parents, Frederick Theodore and Claire Marie (nee Chambers) Mercer.

Sandy graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico double-majoring in Marketing and Human Resources. Shortly after graduating from college, she went to work for the U.S. Forest Service Albuquerque Center and served in various positions until the time of her death.

In high school, Sandy was honored with the Golden Eaglet of Merit Award – the highest accomplishment for Girl Scouts. During her college years, she enjoyed photography and received two awards for photographs she took capturing New Mexico culture. She also was a volunteer for Ronald McDonald House Charities. As a disabled person, she advocated for improved accessibility as well as inclusion of individuals with disabilities.

She is preceded in death by her father, Frederick Theodore Mercer of Albuquerque.

She is survived by her mother, Claire Marie Gallipoli and loving stepfather, Vincent Francis Gallipoli of Albuquerque, NM. She is also survived by her sister, Karen Lee Hendricks and husband, Gregory Keith Hendricks of Grand Prairie, TX; sister, Elizabeth Anne Shipley and husband, Galen Pahl Shipley of Chandler, AZ; stepbrother, Glenn Vincent Gallipoli of Denver, CO; stepbrother, Mark Scott Gallipoli of Albuquerque; and stepsister, Mila Gallipoli of Albuquerque. Sandy enjoyed time with her niece, Ashleigh Elizabeth Joyce and husband, Jarod of Grand Prairie; nephew, Christopher Stephen Hendricks and wife, Jourdan of Arlington, TX; niece, Erin Marie Gasser of Scottsdale, AZ; nephew Pahl Charles Shipley of New York; nephew Nicholas Sydney Shipley of Massachusetts; nephew, Joshua Gallipoli and wife, Mikaeala of Albuquerque; nephews, Scott Gallipoli, Matthew Gallipoli and Cary Hubbard of Albuquerque; niece, Amy Gallipoli of Albuquerque; and niec,e Devon Gallipoli of Denver, CO. She also leaves grand nieces and nephews, Carson and Graham Hendricks; Avery and Evan Joyce; Brayten Gallipoli; and Paisley Navarro as well as several cherished aunts, uncles and cousins.