Sandy Bouch

Sandra Alice “Sandy” Bouch, beloved mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, went to be with our Lord on January 21, 2026, just one day after her 87th birthday.

Born Sandra Baney in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, on January 20, 1939, to the late Sidney and Irma Baney, she graduated from Beaver Area High School in 1956. Sandy then attended Slippery Rock State Teachers College, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She taught various grades at Middlesex Elementary School until 1970, when her daughter Heather was born and she became a stay-at-home mom.

In 1978, Sandy began working at Magnetics in East Butler, Pennsylvania, where she remained until her first retirement in 2001. Following this, with some gentle prodding—and true to her resilient and independent spirit—she moved across Pennsylvania to the greater Philadelphia area to be closer to her daughter and future son-in-law. There, Sandy took on a new role as a front desk receptionist for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, bringing her quiet kindness to all she met (well, except that one Environmental Hearing Board Judge).

In her new home, she became a devoted cat parent, spent her free time gardening and reading, and became an active member of East Falls Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon for many years. Retiring again at the end of 2012, she enjoyed spending more time with her cats, in her garden, doing word puzzles, reading and watching mysteries. Sandy especially delighted in watching her grandchildren grow and volunteered for a time at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, drawn by both her love of nature and the chance to see her grandchildren during their programs. She took pleasure in observing the animals from her windows and theirs, along with the beauty of the changing seasons (unless it was too hot or too cold).

Even in later years, Sandy’s resilience remained evident: after sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2018, Sandy was back on her feet within a few months and continued living independently until she passed peacefully in her sleep.

Sandy is survived by her daughter Heather Cowley, son-in-law Douglas Cowley, and grandchildren Victoria and Daniel.

A memorial service celebrating Sandy’s life will be held at East Falls Presbyterian Church at a later date, when the weather is warmer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Green Woods Charter School or the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, in honor of Sandy’s love of education, nature and wildlife.