Sandra E. Zickefoose

Sandra Elaine Zickefoose, intrepid academic, feminist, and fiercely loyal wife, mother and grandmother died November 7, 2014.  She was 67.

Sandy was born in 1947 in Evergreen Park, IL to Reuben Stevenson, airline pilot, and Doris Crowell.  She was raised at the beach in Palos Verdes, CA with her three brothers. Sandy married Francis Zickefoose, the father of her children in 1966.  Her son, Timothy Zickefoose was born in 1969 followed by daughter Jessica in 1971.  Sandy graduated from California State University at Dominguez Hills with a dual major in US History and Political Science.  After graduation, while pursuing her doctorate in US History at UCLA, Sandy's commitment to social justice led her to become involved in a number of activities and groups oriented to social change, including the Central American Solidarity movement and the Southwest Labor Studies Association. While co-hosting KPFK's "Morning Magazine" Sandy established "Bookworks" a progressive bookstore in West Los Angeles and was one of the founders of "LA Catalyst". She was also an adjunct professor at a number of colleges and universities in Los Angeles area.

In 1986 Sandy married Michael Cowan, moving to New York a year later.  Sandy rose to the position of Vice-President at "The Nation" magazine.  Sandy's commitment to worker education led her to the Labor Education and Advancement Program (LEAP) at Queen's College, followed by a position as Director of Development at the New York Civil Liberties Union.  Throughout this time Sandy continued her teaching as an adjunct professor at various schools in New York including SUNY Purchase, PACE University, and Queens College. S ome of Sandy's most satisfying work was fundraising for innovative programs that brought higher education into the lives of women incarcerated at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility as well as inmates at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. In 2002 Sandy and Michael returned West to Portland, Oregon. Sandy wanted to live near the family she grew up with, many of whom had made homes in the Pacific Northwest. Sandy was a passionate lover of the arts, including theater, music, and movies, and the Portland Trail Blazers. She was especially interested in local theater in her adopted home; she was dedicated to increasing the inclusiveness and diversity of the arts experience in Portland. She was an accomplished and prolific artist, creating beautiful pen and ink drawings. Sandy started selling used books on the internet in 1998; and, by the time of her death, she was a top-rated seller on Ebay. She delighted in the research involved in "re-homing" her many esoteric finds from estate sales and local auctions.   When Sandy was not digging for clues about the treasures she sold on Ebay, she was hosting her extended family on the deck every Monday of the summer, going to t-ball games and music recitals.  Always her first priority and joy was to care for her family and friends.  Her calendar was always filled with the plans she made for us all to keep us connected and feeling loved. Sandy was a person of strong opinions and convictions, a mighty force of nature who used her influence and talents to promote peace and justice in the world around her and to keep her loved ones safe and happy.  Her vitality and spirit lit up the lives of the people who knew and loved her.

Sandy is survived by her husband Michael Cowan, her children Timothy Zickefoose and Jessica (Daniel) Arone, her step-daughter Hannah (Zach) Passman, her grandchildren Kyla, Ruby and Frederic Arone and George Passman., and her brother Ronald (Dolores) Stevenson. She is predeceased by her brothers Michael Stevenson and John Edward (Eddie) Stevenson.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to The August Wilson Red Door Project.