Margaret A. (Maggie) Sandly, 100, Lincoln, died Tuesday (1-5-2010). Born (9-1-1909) in Weeping Water, Nebraska to John J. and Caroline (Flamme) Meier. Mr. Meier was the owner of Meier Drug in Weeping Water and Maggie spent many happy days working with her father in his drug store.
Margaret graduated Weeping Water High School and continued her education at Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri where she graduated with a Music and Math degree. She took many short term positions in small towns in western Iowa and Southeastern Nebraska. During this period she met and married Joseph (Art) Sandly of Nebraska. They moved to the Chicago area in the 1930’s. Art’s main love besides Maggie was to play professional banjo and guitar in Chicago nightclubs and national Big Bands. Not one to sit at home Maggie worked at the Palmer House Hotel in downtown Chicago. She ran their cosmetic counter and catered to the Palmer House’s guests who were the rich, and infamous of Chicago. Her ability to please this very demanding clientele brought her to the attention of the visiting owner of Texas Pharmaceutical Company. He offered her a job as his first female traveling salesperson for his line of dermatology products and she accepted. The company grew and was acquired by Warner Lambert. She worked there for many years and the company was bought by Pfizer towards the end of her career. In 1985 upon the death of her husband she moved from her beloved Chicago and returned to Lincoln, Nebraska to be near her sister, Jeanne French.
While now retired she was not the type to stay inactive so she became a volunteer guide at the City County Building in Lincoln. She was also very active with her local PEO Chapter BR. Maggie was a great joy and mentor to her beloved nephews and nieces and was a cherished part to every family Christmas until her death. Her family loved being with her and will always remember their infamous Vegas celebration of her 95th birthday, her bending the ear of Mike Ditka at his restaurant during her 96th birthday celebration and finally the 100th birthday bash at Legacy Estates with all her family and friends in Lincoln this year.
Family members include sisters: Pat Parsons, Modesto, CA, Ruth Jeanne French, Lincoln; nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service: 1:30 p.m. Monday (1-11-10) Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd. Rev. Dr. Andrew McDonald officiating. 10:00 a.m. burial in Wyuka Cemetery, Nebraska City.
Memorials to the PEO Home, 413 N. 5th, Beatrice, Nebraska 68310 or Westminster Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, 2110 Sheridan Blvd. (02).
No visitation.