Sandra K. Harding

Sandra Kaye Harding, 78, died on Monday March 3rd, 2025, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing from complications of emphysema. She was born on September 9th, 1946, in Bay City Michigan, the oldest child of Connie and Warren Harding. She graduated from Millington High School in 1964, and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Central Michigan University. She spent her entire career at Bangor Township Schools in Bay City, teaching middle school band and, later, social studies.

Without quite intending to, Sandy joined thousands of other women who fought for their rights as the sword-tip of Second Wave feminism. Barred from the CMU Chippewa Marching Band, she asked how she was supposed to teach marching as part of her job. The reply was short and to-the-point: “You’re not.” When her first band received straight first-division ratings at festival, some male directors grumbled that it was because she’d worn a short skirt; she wore pants for the rest of her career, and her bands continued to receive those high rankings. One of her first principals fielded calls from “concerned parents” who asked how Bangor could justify hiring an unwed mother; he stood up for her, telling people Sandy’s marital status was none of their business. Forced to have her stepfather co-sign her first mortgage, by 1977 she insisted that such a guarantor wasn’t necessary. Through it all, she raised, loved, and supported her only son.

Sandy had numerous interests and hobbies. An early love of old houses led to her acquiring the skills necessary to strip her home in Vassar down to the studs and restore it: she did her own wiring, drywall, and carpentry. She loved restoring antique lamps and furniture, and later in life she had a full woodshop where she built many projects for her grandson. She became an avid treasure hunter, seeking permission all over the county to run her metal detector, and later enjoyed wading in rivers to find old bottles. And of course, through it all Sandy adored making music: she loved performing Handel’s “Messiah” with area groups, played in the Saginaw Eddy Concert Band for over 30 years, and sat in the pit orchestra for countless musicals at area high schools, Bay City Players, Pit & Balcony, and Midland Center for the Arts.

Sandy was preceded in death by her mother Connie (Wheeler) Dupuie, father Warren G. Harding, stepfather Bob Dupuie, sister Deb (Dupuie) Robinson, husband Wendell S. Honsinger, and all of her grandparents, aunts, and uncles. She is survived by her son Scott (Tess Miller), grandson Phoenix Miller, brother Warren L. Harding (Sue), and many friends who will miss her dearly.

She will be buried next to her parents at Millington Township Cemetery in a private ceremony. A Celebration of Life will be planned for the summer, in the Lansing area.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Central Michigan University School of Music Krantz Audition Travel Fund (account number 6450053, link: https://giving.apps.cmich.edu/donate/main) which is used to send student musicians to invited auditions.

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Sandy and her family are in the care of Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington. 4823 Main St, 48746. Phone (989) 871-4591.

Hanlin Funeral Homes ~ Serving Since 1928

Millington & Vassar