Sandra Wilson Obituary

Sandra Anne Marie Wilson was born on April 7, 1947, to Martha Katherine Wilson and Raymond Cloutier. She died at age 68, on May 21st, 2015, from complications following surgery. Her indomitable spirit and positive energy affected all who knew her in countless ways, with the ripples going on and on. She lived her life as if she was capable of accomplishing anything. A friend said she was like a brilliant comet that flashed across the sky and then was gone, too soon. She was a caring friend, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, philanthropist, psychologist, researcher, author, humanitarian leader, and was 'Crazy Grandma' to at least one of her great grandchildren. She had a keen sense of humor and brought laughter and joy to nearly everything she did. She was, in a word, inspiring.

Sandra was born in Dearborn, Michigan, and was the eldest of ten children; perhaps that's where she developed her organizational skills, which were immensely useful to her later on. In 1985, she earned her B.A. Degree, Magna Cum Laude, in Psychology and Sociology from Central Michigan University; in 1987,she completed her M.A. in Clinical Psychology and Child Development, also Magna Cum Laude, from the same University. Then, in 1995, she earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Union Institute. She became a pioneer in EMDR (A form of psychotherapy that is highly effective with persons who have been psychologically traumatized; e.g. PTSD), both as a clinician and a researcher. She went on to conduct other studies in EMDR; with children, children of war, police officers, motor vehicle accident victims, and phantom limb pain patients. She established and ran a grass-roots EMDR Free Clinic after the Oklahoma City Bombing, bringing more than 300 EMDR therapist volunteers from around the country and treating more than 300 persons. This project led to the formation of EMDR-HAP which has since conducted hundreds of humanitarian projects in many parts of the world. Prior to EMDR, she had a variety of other occupations, and avocations: lead singer in a band in the 1960s; Pre-school Educator and State Wide Administrator; Crisis Center Director, Parent Education Director; General Contractor (Building over 300 homes); and teaching housing construction at a community college; as well as raising five children.

Sandra is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jack Cloutier; five grandchildren, Spencer Baumgardner, Curtis Penney, and Jay, Sophia, and Sierra Nicholls. The Spencer Curtis Foundation, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit, was named after two of the grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Robert H. Tinker, Ph.D.; her siblings, Marsha Nicholas, Cindy Parsell, Raymond, Kenneth, Timothy, Larry, Ronald, and William Cloutier; her five children, Tonya Weaver, Marie Murrow, Deborah Nicholls, Doug and Craig Baumgardner; two adult step children Michael and Joni Tinker; eight grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

Memorial Service 3:00PM, Friday, June 26, 2015 at The Center for Creative Leadership, 850 Leader Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80905

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions, in Sandra's name, can be made to her favorite charity; The EMDR Research Foundation. [email protected]