Sandra J. McCay

Sandra "Sandy" Jean (Furcolo) McCay 78, of Gill, MA, passed away peacefully at her home on February 17, 2024. She was born on August 14, 1945, in Greenfield, MA to Michael and Donna (Van Valkenburg, Furcolo) Kittel and moved to Westfield in 1954. Sandy graduated from Westfield High School in 1964, and went on to attend Providence Hospital Childcare Program for one year. She married James “Jim” McCay in 1969, being happily married for 43 years. They began their family with their first daughter, Tracy, in Westfield, MA in 1970. Moving to Gill, MA, they had their second daughter, Kristy, in 1973. Shortly after, Sandy began her career as a Childcare Provider. She cared for numerous children over the years who adored her. Sandy had a warm, generous, and caring heart. She was known for her bright smile that lit up the room. She was always there for her loving family and many friends, oﬀering help whenever needed with open arms. Sandy was best friends with her loving sister, Donna, and was deeply honored to be the mother of her two daughters, Tracy and Kristy. Aﬀectionately known as “Mammy” to her two grandchildren, Rex and Nova, she couldn’t have been more proud. Mammy gave the biggest, best hugs, always jokingly demanding of her Grandchildren “Where’s my hug!”. She loved spending time with family celebrating birthdays and especially Holidays where her home was always filled with gifts, food, laughter and her favorite board games, Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble. Sandy loved her music, from Les Paul and Mary Ford singing “How High The Moon”, or Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Girl From Ipanema” to Iron Butterfly’s “In A Gadda Da Vida”, music always brought a smile to her lips, and rhythm to her feet. Sandy also adored her dachshunds, having three at diﬀerent points in her life, with the most recent being Tilli Belle, who was always by her side. A voracious reader as well, she enjoyed sitting outside on her deck during bright, sunny days, cuddling with her dog. She is survived by her sister, Donna Heath, and her husband Richard Heath of Gill, MA; daughters, Tracy Shaw and son-in-law Eric Shaw, of Seattle, WA; Kristy McCay-Kim and son- in-law Matthew Kim, of Gill MA; grandchildren, Rex Kim and Nova Kim of Gill, MA; step sisters, Anne Markel & family, Louise Sauter & family; cousin Carol Ann Rappa & her good friend Lynda Marone; cousins Michael DePalma, Peter DePalma, sister-in-law, Donna McCay & family. She also leaves behind her beloved, dear friend of 65 years, Pierrette (Mitchell) Desautels. Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, James McCay; brother, Michael Furcolo; mother, Donna (Van Valkenburg, Furcolo) Kittel; father, Michael Furcolo; step father Herman Kittel; and cousin Mark DePalma. At Sandy's request, there will be no funeral services. We invite you to please privately celebrate Sandy’s memory in your own way. The family will honor her privately. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care: 329 Conway Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301. We are so very thankful to Sandy’s caregivers Kim, Liz, Jena, Becky and Elcira (Kiz Helping Hands) for their incredible work, dedication, kindness, compassion, support and love helping Kristy and Donna in the last stages of Sandy’s life. The New England Funeral & Cremation Center, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Sandy’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net for expressions of sympathy.

Sandra J. McCay

August 14, 1945 - February 17, 2024