Sandi Childs Succumbs at 57.

Michael M. Sweeney for Scarborough Downs

Sandra E. Childs, 57, of Saco, ME died peacefully Sunday at her home on Dansan Farm after a short illness, while surrounded by family and friends.  She was born in Portland, the daughter of Harold T. and Peggy Halverson.  She attended Portland Schools and graduated from Deering High School.

Throughout her life Sandi became a successful business woman and it was while managing Ski Togs that she became an avid skier, taking her daughters to the slopes whenever she could.  Later she worked for her brother at Halbar Enterprises managing a women’s clothing line.  She then found her passion for horses and ran a successful horse breeding and training business at Dansan Farm.  The farm, which in her heart and mind was “a little piece of Heaven”, was designed and built by her and her husband of 25 years, Dana Childs.  It is there that she was able to continue her love for animals, raising Standard bred race horses and becoming an active supporter for the sport of harness racing in Maine.

She was most recently employed by Shaw’s Supermarkets in Scarborough and Northgate.  She worked in many departments throughout her 15 year career and it was there that she made many great friends and colleagues that supported her.  Many customers came in just to see her.

Through  her brief illness she cherished the love and support she received from family and friends and Hospice of Southern Maine.  During this time she remained very strong and continued her great sense of humor.

Some of her favorite times were having cookouts by the pool, spending time with family and friends and watching her horses play in the paddocks.  Her grandchildren provided her great joy and when referring to them she would often ask “Where are my babies?”.

Including her husband, Dana, Sandi is survived by her parents, Harold T and Peggy Halverson of Windham, brother Ted Halverson Jr., of Falmouth, daughters and their spouses; Jayme and Jason Davis of Saco, Jo Anna and Darren Corey of Gorham and Courtney Childs and her fiancé Jeff Spoffard of Portland.  She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Alexa & Nathan Corey.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, January 4^th, from 5-8PM at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland.  A Celebration of Her Life will be held Saturday, January  5th at 10AM  at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: State Society for The Protection of Animals, PO Box 10, So Windham, ME 04082.