At Planned Parenthood Keystone our mission is to provide and promote access to the essential health care... moreAt Planned Parenthood Keystone our mission is to provide and promote access to the essential health care services and comprehensive sexuality education people need to live healthy lives and build strong communities. Planned Parenthood is unique in its expertise regarding reproductive and sexual health care, education, and advocacy. Since the Planned Parenthood movement reached Pennsylvania's Luzerne County in 1926, our medical centers have continued to evolve into the affiliate we are today. PPKeystone now provides services to 43% of Pennsylvania residents across 37 counties. Through 9 medical centers, we are able to provide services to over 22,000 patients each year. less
This page celebrates the life of Sandra Teel Trainer.
Feel free to share your thoughts, feelings and photos here.
We will update this page with info about her virtual memorial soon.
OBITUARY
Sandra Teel Trainer, 82 passed away on September 28, 2020 of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease and other natural causes. She was living in memory care in Hood River but was a proud Portlandian prior to that for over nine years.
Born on April 27, 1938, Sandy grew up in and around Wayne, PA. She attended Radnor High School and participated with gusto in just about everything they had to offer – field hockey, lacrosse, the yearbook,... see more
Sandra Teel Trainer, 82 passed away on September 28, 2020 of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease and other natural causes. She was living in memory care in Hood River but was a proud Portlandian prior to that for over nine years.
Born on April 27, 1938, Sandy grew up in and around Wayne, PA. She attended Radnor High School and participated with gusto in just about everything they had to offer – field hockey, lacrosse, the yearbook, cheerleading, and more. Her father, Paul Teel, was both a teacher and the band leader at the school, while her mother, Jane Stetzer Teel, stayed home, cracked wise and raised Sandy and her brother Bob (Robert Teel).
Her gusto paid off and she attended Denison University in the late 1950’s and received a Bachelor’s Degree. She became a school teacher and soon got married in 1961, remaining wedded for forty years.
Justice, community, family and friends were her life. She not only talked about her deep belief in making society more equitable, but also put her voice, efforts and money behind her convictions. While raising three children in Bucks County, PA, she volunteered and raised funds extensively for all kinds of organizations including Planned Parenthood, the League of Women Voters, the YMCA, the Fresh Air Fund, and more, as well as serving as a school board member and president for the Central Bucks School District. And she never sat out an election – she campaigned for candidates and issues alike – usually, but not always, for Democrats.
Later in life she moved to Portland, Oregon and established an amazing set of friends from both her building and the non-profit organizations she continued to support. To know Sandy was to receive a birthday card from her every year, and of course, her kids, grandkids and larger family were doted on by her, to excess.
Sandy is survived by her children, Dwight Trainer (partner: Nancy Behrmann), David Trainer (partner: Jennifer Warnke) and Marsha Trainer (partner: Douglas Harris), grandchildren, Dylan, Annika, Dehlia and Dalton as well as several dear cousins, nieces and nephews. Her parents and brother preceded her in moving on.
Her Celebration of Life will be this Saturday, October 17 at 5:30pm eastern time. Details are on this page in a separate section.
Donations in her honor can be sent to (no flowers please):
Mom's birthday is tomorrow and I was thinking how she ALWAYS remembered everyone's birthday. Here is the most recent birthday card she sent me in 2019 with lots of writing inside to tell me how special I am (the way she did for everyone). And the... moreMom's birthday is tomorrow and I was thinking how she ALWAYS remembered everyone's birthday. Here is the most recent birthday card she sent me in 2019 with lots of writing inside to tell me how special I am (the way she did for everyone). And the handwriting, well, it was messy as far back as I can remember, but nobody ever cared. We just looked forward to getting the card from her that said, "Don't open until...".
I'll be thinking of her tomorrow on her birthday. If you think of it give her a cheers with your craft beer, water with no ice, cosmopolitan, iced tea, pepsi, or whatever reminds you of her.
Marsha
**and i added a shot of mom w/dwight and david, because i love how deeply concerned dwight looks about this story. is he worried about the steamshovel? not sure. less
Sandy. as a strong advocate of women's rights, was generous with her time and activity in support of Planned Parenthood. She was a radiant, loving, and forethoughtful person who is missed by all who knew her.
Because of Sandy, Patti Thomas and Marty Mount, I joined the League of Women Voters of Bucks County...50 years ago! They reached out to a Doylestown newcomer and new Mom with kindness, generosity, and shared interest in public... moreFrom Barbara Sperry:
Because of Sandy, Patti Thomas and Marty Mount, I joined the League of Women Voters of Bucks County...50 years ago! They reached out to a Doylestown newcomer and new Mom with kindness, generosity, and shared interest in public education, promoting social equityand justice. With Sandi Neher and Janet Freud, we shared many discussions during our tenures on the Central Bucks School Board. But most of all, I remember Sandy's unwavering support of all of our children and their athletic activities, always showing up to cheer them on whether on the basketball or tennis courts, the track, or participating in choir or instrumental performances. Along with Van Neher and Phil Radabaugh, all of our participating kids would look for and hear their cheering and supportive voices above all!! We will forever miss her "first to arrive" Christmas card and thank her children for this opportunity to say "Goodbye". less
First and foremost, her children - Dwight, David, and Marsha - were her life as they were growing up. Then, to her... moreAlex Haley wrote: "The family is link to our past, bridge to our future.”
First and foremost, her children - Dwight, David, and Marsha - were her life as they were growing up. Then, to her delight, the grandchildren - Dylan, Annika, Dehlia, and Dalton elbowed their way into Sandy’s life in more recent years. Her face and voice lit up when she spoke about them. Her children and later her grandchildren were the sun and the moon for Sandy. They were each a celebration for her. As was Marsha’s discovery and integration into her birth family. Please notice the light in her eyes in the photographs with family.
When she was young Sandy - and many of us in our generation - enjoyed large family gatherings, especially around holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. In those days Thanksgiving, at our house with a proscribed menu, included the Radnor-Lower Merion football game - with Uncle Paul (Sandy’s father) leading the band at half time. Christmas at the Teels meant the exact same menu as Thanksgiving, with the addition of sparkling wine (even for the youngest of us), and carols led by Uncle Paul on the piano.
Those Christmases of her youth had a real impact: Sandy later came to make a fuss about Christmas with elaborate decorations throughout her house and with the Cookie Factory. Sandy organized the Christmas cookie factory like a drill sergeant: year after year she pressed her mother, my mother, and an honorary aunt into indentured servitude to make scores of dozens of cookies. For days. Many of us benefitted from their efforts. Few armies have been as disciplined as Sandy’s cookie enterprise. Few workers were as happy to serve as those three women. Or so happy to be finished their work.
Sandy built on the family gathering tradition when she hosted a number of extended family reunions at the farm in Bucks County. Dozens of us would gather. Three generations would play and eat and swim and visit together. The swimming part in her pond echoed the times family went to Uncle Bud’s and Aunt Mary Gray’s for softball, picnics, and swimming. As her children married and had children of their own, the family gatherings continued. Sandy would go on and on (and on) about get-togethers in Idaho and Oregon.
(Speaking of Uncle Bud, who was an oral surgeon, he actually saved Sandy’s life when she was in college and a dentist had botched wisdom teeth extractions.)
For the cousins - there were nine of us including Bob, her brother - For the cousins, Sandy herself was a life-saver. Both figuratively and literally. Time after time, cousin after cousin (or brother) she came to our aid. With pitch perfect support. She was a genius at knowing what we needed and tireless at rescuing those of who needed rescuing. She was the one who welcomed me when no one else in the family would in the late 60s.
When the opportunity came for Sandy to fulfill a dream and a curiosity to live in a city, she thought of only three places, each near one of her children. New Orleans was too hot. St Paul was too cold. The goldilocks city was Portland, near Dwight and his family. She moved there. They moved to Thailand for a year.
She also loved and enjoyed and sent early birthday cards to her aunts and uncles, her niece and nephew, her cousins once (or twice or thrice) removed. To all in the family.
Sandy not only celebrated her children and grandchildren, she also thought about her antecedents. She revered her father for his gentle, caring ways and for his strength of character. And his musical talent. She enjoyed the vitality and outgoingness and wit of her mother. Sandy even somewhat appreciated her mother’s stubborn ways. Sandy came to see delightful combinations and expressions of these characteristics in her own children.
There was, however, one ancestor she viewed through a darker lens. Sandy came to feel and to express real animosity towards Baboo, our grandfather. He was very smart, very outgoing, very funny, and very opinionated (read: “bigoted”) and sometimes cruel in his rigidity.
Two months ago in a quiet moment in Central Park I took the occasion to visit with her and the ancestors in my head. I channeled Baboo and Sandy’s parents and my parents (with whom I had the kind of issues that Sandy had with Baboo.) and Sandy. In the stillness of that moment I came to understand that we - the cousins: Sandy, Bob, Jay, Gray, Mimi, Penny, John, Ned, and I - became the synthesis of the ancestors. We are the products of their lives and characters.
But expressed very differently. With Sandy in particular, expressed with more humanity and compassion. And real concern for others. And I saw that this is a dynamic passed from one generation to another. Just consider Dwight, Dave, and Marsha. Just consider Dylan, Annika, Dehlia and Dalton. They get better and better with each generation.
I wished I could share and explore this thought with Sandy. And I regretted that she would no longer understand. But she might have a year or so ago. Because family has always been important to her. And the thought might have pleased her.
Family was the energy that animated Sandy. In many ways she was the glue that held us all together.
Sandy was the link to our past and the bridge to our future. less
On behalf with Jon Knowles (with photos this time):
I knew Sandy from 10th Grade at Radnor High School. We were the Class of 1956. I remember Sandy as being very vivacious, very smart and very pretty. Come Senior Year it turned out our classmates... moreOn behalf with Jon Knowles (with photos this time):
I knew Sandy from 10th Grade at Radnor High School. We were the Class of 1956. I remember Sandy as being very vivacious, very smart and very pretty. Come Senior Year it turned out our classmates elected us “Most Likely to Succeed”. Later, after reconnecting with Sandy and other classmates in a West Coast mini-reunion, we discussed this and we agreed that, yes, indeed, we had indeed succeeded!
In 2014 Sandy and other mostly West Coast Radnorites took a cruise to Alaska. It was wonderful to spend time with her and other classmates on this trip, and a few more, but too few, West Coast mini-reunions. She hosted the last reunion we had, which was in Portland, and it was delightful to see her.
She was a remarkable person and I remember her with great fondness.
Two photos from these reunions: one in the SF Bay area on the ferry and the other from the Alaska cruise. less
Sandy was an amazing mother-in-law. She supported me from the day we met and always made me feel important. When she passed I felt like my fan club was cut in half, consisting only of my dog now. The incredible thing about Sandy was how many people... moreSandy was an amazing mother-in-law. She supported me from the day we met and always made me feel important. When she passed I felt like my fan club was cut in half, consisting only of my dog now. The incredible thing about Sandy was how many people she made feel this same way. Everyone who knows Sandy knows how she can talk but what struck me was how she could REALLY listen as well. She could pick up on my emotions and be there to support me even before I had tuned in to them. She was my go-to girl for learning about the latest cocktails (she hooked me on cosmopolitans) wine ("My friends are drinking sauvingnon blanc these days.") and amazing reads. Her straight forward ways and vocal opinions livened up many a family gathering. She will be greatly missed but left us with many strong memories that will never die. less
Who could forget the enduring support of Sandy, Van Neher and Phil Radabaugh at many of all our kids music and athletic endeavors....one could hear their cheering above all other sounds always finding good things to say to each of them about their skills... moreWho could forget the enduring support of Sandy, Van Neher and Phil Radabaugh at many of all our kids music and athletic endeavors....one could hear their cheering above all other sounds always finding good things to say to each of them about their skills and interests. Our kids would look for Sandy, Van, and Phil before even wondering if their own parents were there!
The kind and generous outreach of Sandy, Patti Thomas and Marty Mount brought me to join the League of Women Voters. Her tenacity for justice and equity showed in everything she did from the LWV to the CB School Board to Planned Parenthood and much more. Indeed Sandy was a very special woman who touched the lives of so very many from coast to coast! less
Doug HarrisSome of my favorite memories of Sandy Trainer by Douglas Harris:
1) Sandy taking me shopping at Gap. She bought me a beautiful red sweater that's terribly worn but it's been my favorite sweater for nearly 20 years. I'll be wearing this old sweater... moreSome of my favorite memories of Sandy Trainer by Douglas Harris:
1) Sandy taking me shopping at Gap. She bought me a beautiful red sweater that's terribly worn but it's been my favorite sweater for nearly 20 years. I'll be wearing this old sweater today.
2) Walking with Sandy in Doylestown was like walking with a celebrity. On any given day, several friends would flag her down and run across the street to bend her ear about this and that or just to say hi.
3) While driving to Virginia, so she and Marsha could get to know my parents, Marsha took the back seat and promptly announced “good night!”. She slept the entire 7 hours while Sandy and I talked the entire trip.
4) While running the NYC marathon, I remember wanting so badly to quit but I had this fear that Sandy would be sitting in the crowd around mile 21-24, as she’d done for Marsha’s marathon run, and I did not want her to see me walk so I kept going. less
Doug Harris5) Arriving at Sandy's house in Doylestown one summer night, we sat on the outside porch and met Bill Moyer for the first time while sipping drinks on the humid, moonlit night.
6) Watching Phillies games with Sandy at her Doylestown house and... more5) Arriving at Sandy's house in Doylestown one summer night, we sat on the outside porch and met Bill Moyer for the first time while sipping drinks on the humid, moonlit night.
6) Watching Phillies games with Sandy at her Doylestown house and listening to her wealth of knowledge about the sport and the history of the Phillies triumphs as well as her dislike for the Yankees.
7) Sandy travelling to meet Marsha and me in Idaho for Thanksgiving where it snowed about 2 feet in 4 days. We were there mainly to check on the cabin we were building in the woods. We walked through the snow filled unfinished structure of the house and celebrated this upcoming accomplishment as well as the holiday. We stayed in a rustic cabin on Lake Pend Oreille. Sandy was so supportive and happy for us! less
Doug Harris8) Spending Christmas in Idaho and watching Sandy crawl into the closet on her hands and knees so she could be spend the night with all the grandchildren who thought it was the coolest place to sleep. I have no idea how they all fit in there or how... more8) Spending Christmas in Idaho and watching Sandy crawl into the closet on her hands and knees so she could be spend the night with all the grandchildren who thought it was the coolest place to sleep. I have no idea how they all fit in there or how Sandy was able to sleep but I know she was willing to do just about anything to have fun and be with her grandchildren.
9) Listening to Sandy sing Christmas Carols and making sure these traditions were upheld every year.
10) We spent many a Christmas with Sandy at the Idaho cabin and I’ll always remember her presence there.
11) A summer trip to Idaho when we rented a Pontoon boat and we each took turns riding behind the boat on a raft through the water and jumping the waves. I’m not sure anyone expected Sandy to jump in the water and on the raft, but she did. If there was fun to be had she wanted to be a part of it. less
Doug Harris12) Playing Parcheesi and Kubb with Sandy was a monumental event and she played every game as if the world championship was on the line. She made every game dramatic and exciting!
13) Being there when Sandy met the Ho Family.
14) A summer trip to MN,... more12) Playing Parcheesi and Kubb with Sandy was a monumental event and she played every game as if the world championship was on the line. She made every game dramatic and exciting!
13) Being there when Sandy met the Ho Family.
14) A summer trip to MN, before Marsha and I moved there permanently, we rented a house on the river and played games all day long and sung songs all night long. The Harris and Trainer Families were both in attendance and I’m sure the volume of our fun scarred some of the neighbors with our late nights and none of the our kids were able to sleep but we sure had fun!
15) Witnessing the relationship her Cousin Paul and Van Neher had with Sandy was amazing because they brought out in her a sense of humor that was beautiful to see.
Remembrance and Celebration of the Life of Sandra Teel Trainer
I first met Sandy through another resident and mutual friend, Sara Baker, in our apartment building (Museum Place) in early 2014. Our first extended connection, however, was a very enjoyable... moreRemembrance and Celebration of the Life of Sandra Teel Trainer
I first met Sandy through another resident and mutual friend, Sara Baker, in our apartment building (Museum Place) in early 2014. Our first extended connection, however, was a very enjoyable and lengthy lunch at Elephant's Deli on June 27th of 2014 (celebrated in later years as our "anniversary"). Many additional lunches, dinners, walks, shared evenings and other events followed, and by the end of the year, Sandy and I had become close friends.
Our friendship continued its evolution in 2015, but went in new directions in late September when over the period of a day Sandy suddenly lost the vision in her right eye as a result of what was later diagnosed (early October) as Giant Cell Arteritis. Despite the massive restriction in her visual field and experience of life that her loss entailed, and despite the threat and her/our fear that she might lose vision in her other eye as well, Sandy continued to go about her life with vigor and resolve, and continued unabated her full schedule of meetings, responsibilities, visits, activities, etc. with family and friends.
The challenges and complexities of Sandy's journey continued during 2016 - 2019, as she navigated the numerous specialists, appointments, medication regimens, and decisions her treatment for Giant Cell Arteritis and its complications entailed. As was true in late 2015, Sandy continued to respond with tenacity, courage and poise. As was also true in 2015 and earlier, Sandy continued her almost daily (weather allowing) strenuous four mile early morning walks from Museum Place to Washington Park and back.
Throughout 2016 - 2019 our friendship continued to evolve and mature, and we often shared at least part of each evening talking, discussing, laughing and viewing videos (political, environmental, musical, etc.) on her computer. During this same period, Friday through Sunday evenings of each week increasingly became "dinner and a movie" evenings. Movies from Portland's/Multnomah County's excellent library DVD collection were favorites, ranging from upbeat romantic comedies and dramas, to films depicting serious forms of societal and structural injustice, discrimination and inequality, and attempts to address them -- all major emphases during Sandy's life. It will not surprise anyone who knew Sandy that one of her favorite recent films was the documentary "RBG," celebrating the life and achievements of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. RBG was one of Sandy's heroes, and she would frequently be seen wearing her festive blue RBG t-shirt.
As a result of additional complications from the treatment of her Giant Cell Arteritis as well as other emerging problems, Sandy moved from Museum Place to a beautiful apartment at Regency Park Assisted Living in Portland at the beginning of September, 2019. While her residence there initially went well, a number of situations soon emerged that ultimately resulted in her relocation from the larger and less restricted assisted living apartment and setting, to a room in the much more restricted Regency memory care setting in early November. That, too, ultimately proved unsatisfactory, and in late February, 2020, Sandy's children relocated her to Brookside Manor in Hood River.
It's been a profound privilege and honor to know, share with, learn from, and enjoy Sandy during the last six years. She is truly a wonderful person, and lived a life of integrity, spirit, compassion, and great contribution to family, friends and community.
While it's been apparent for some time that Sandy's physical and cognitive health were declining, the speed of her decline was a massive shock. I'm comforted, however, by the many discussions Sandy and I had during the last few years about the importance we both placed upon quality of life, and about our desire for a peaceful exit should that quality be irreversibly lost. Sandy exited consistent with her desire, and thus exhibited the same integrity, love, compassion and concern in death that she demonstrated throughout her life.
I love seeing all these wonderful pictures of Sandy! She was such a warm and loving person! I just wanted to add what a fabulous, dedicated, and generous volunteer Sandy was for Planned Parenthood. As most of you know - because of course Sandy could... moreI love seeing all these wonderful pictures of Sandy! She was such a warm and loving person! I just wanted to add what a fabulous, dedicated, and generous volunteer Sandy was for Planned Parenthood. As most of you know - because of course Sandy could never keep her opinion quiet about how she felt about the importance of access to reproductive healthcare :) - Sandy was the best possible volunteer for decades. She held just about every position available, including Board Chair and other "chair" roles. Except patient escort - she said she would never be able to adhere to the "no engagement" with the protesters policy - no surprise there! I think her last and maybe most valuable to her, was her handholding role in the health center. She made countless patients feel as comfortable and cared for as possible - and they very much appreciated her, as we all did. She gave so much over so many years, in so many ways, it's impossible to capture it all. Thank you, Sandy!! less
I have so many wonderful memories of Sandy. As a child, she was like another parent: feeding me stacks of pancakes, supplying us with a much-anticipated collection of Christmas cookies after her multi-day baking extravaganza (hard to choose, but I think... moreI have so many wonderful memories of Sandy. As a child, she was like another parent: feeding me stacks of pancakes, supplying us with a much-anticipated collection of Christmas cookies after her multi-day baking extravaganza (hard to choose, but I think the thin crispy ones covered with sugar sprinkles were my favorite), collaborating with Mom to teach me and Dave to play bridge (and then Marsha when Dave finally convinced them bridge was not his game), searching the attic at the farm to find the skates that I would borrow for the winter. Later, as I aged and she transitioned from Mrs. Trainer to Sandy (Bob was right…so hard), I remember being greeted with an energetic “Hey, Lady” and her laser focus if she wanted to catch up on the details of my life. And all the time, charmingly gullible as she believed whatever tall tale Dad fed to her. Most of all, I remember and am grateful for what a wonderful friend she was to mom. Mom, Sandy, and Sandi—what a powerful trio! Shopping, vacuuming the rafters of the Nantucket house, eating and drinking wine, and always talking, talking, talking, through good times and bad. I admired their friendship and their passion for the issues they cared about, always caring for each other and for all of us. less
Who can forget the big three when they hit the School board?Sandy, Sandy and Janet. Surely not the anti education Neanderthal men on the board. Not the board solicitor who had always been able to play one group against the other. Long time friends ... moreWho can forget the big three when they hit the School board?Sandy, Sandy and Janet. Surely not the anti education Neanderthal men on the board. Not the board solicitor who had always been able to play one group against the other. Long time friends who included husbands through thick and thin. The Trainer Christmas caroling party. The Trainer New Year’s Day football party. Acts of decency like look out for your older friends during a heat wave.
Sandy you were the heart and soul of our great friendship for 50 years.
Paul and now Jenni, who knew Sandy as a neighbor, friend and birthday mate less
"Mrs. Trainer" - later Sandy (a tough transition for me to make!) was like a second mother to me, in my childhood. She was a rock solid fixture of my youth, and a source of warmth, love and comfort. And a source of some of my earliest musical... more"Mrs. Trainer" - later Sandy (a tough transition for me to make!) was like a second mother to me, in my childhood. She was a rock solid fixture of my youth, and a source of warmth, love and comfort. And a source of some of my earliest musical experiences, listening, with Dave and Dwight, and sometimes even with Marsha Becky and Sarah, to her Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow and Billy Joel albums. Sandy taught me how to make a “one eyed Egyptian” (now, more PC? an Egg-in-a-Hole - Lord knows where the original name came from!), a breakfast I still make myself at least 3 times a week. I will miss getting Sandy's birthday and anniversary cards, sent out with Swiss punctuality. Thank you, Sandy. less
I first met "Mrs. Trainer" as a child, when we were often invited to spend lazy summer days floating on a hot inner tube in her pond (algae fights often ensued). I later met her at Planned Parenthood as a young adult (thank you!!!) and also... moreI first met "Mrs. Trainer" as a child, when we were often invited to spend lazy summer days floating on a hot inner tube in her pond (algae fights often ensued). I later met her at Planned Parenthood as a young adult (thank you!!!) and also spent some time with her in Oregon where I also lived. Though I did not know Sandy well, she really made an impression on me as a quiet but fierce woman. This is a photo from my 1992 wedding. less
I met Sandy in 2011 at Museum Place in Portland, Oregon when Linda Thyberg, another resident, started a book group. We quickly found that we had a lot in common. Our mothers had the same first name, Jean, and were close in age, her mom born in 1912 and... moreI met Sandy in 2011 at Museum Place in Portland, Oregon when Linda Thyberg, another resident, started a book group. We quickly found that we had a lot in common. Our mothers had the same first name, Jean, and were close in age, her mom born in 1912 and mine in 1919. We loved movies. We competed to see how many we could each see in a week or a month, in the theater or on DVDs from Netflix, reporting to each other about what we'd seen, what we liked, what the other one "had to see immediately"...........so we could talk about the films. I did see a lot of movies, but Sandy would beat me every spring when she attended the Portland International Film Festival at the NW Film Study Center across the street at the Art Museum, seeing two a day during the press screening weeks. Then she'd give me a written list of her favorites and I'd put as many as I could find on Netflix for future watching and discussion. We'd often have a glass of red wine and nibbles (cheese and dark chocolate were favorites) in the late afternoon before dinner, usually running into each other at the mailbox area and saying "Come up for a glass of wine"................We could always talk about book group, what we were currently reading and also Sandy gave me a lot of ideas about how to organize our group when Linda moved to Southern California after about a year. Sandy belonged to at least one book group in Pennsylvania and loaned me her list of books for reference. She's the one who suggested we set aside one meeting a year to pick all of the books for the next year, a system that worked, and still works, very well. We both loved silver jewelry. She introduced me to Cape Cod silver bracelets. Sandy gifted me with some lovely pairs of earrings over the years including a special pair of raven earrings by a Portland artist that she gave me when my mom died in 2016 after many years in a care home. We commiserated over the years about our moms, both the happy and the sad memories we had. Every winter, when PBS's show "Call the Midwife" started a new season, it was on our calendars as we both loved the show and would either call each other right after the episode aired on Sunday evenings, or the next day, to discuss it. Sandy introduced me to the Portland Civic Theater Guild Tuesday morning play readings. We went for six seasons (October - May) and then would have lunch at West Cafe, a favorite neighborhood bistro just a block up the street from our apartment building. I learned about politics and tennis from Sandy.....................two things I had not paid much attention to before I met her, but you could not escape those subjects if you knew Sandy. Even if we didn't agree (we usually did) about a particular political issue, I always learned something new. And I knew when the Grand Slam matches were being played because if I called Sandy and she answered sounding a bit distracted, she was watching tennis, and I'd quickly let her get back to the game. Sandy's vegetarian chili was famous around Museum Place and she made it for many group gatherings and also for me when I was recovering from surgery a couple of years ago. I have the recipe. If I needed extra seating in my apartment for book group, or any gathering, I borrowed Sandy's mom's green leather card table chairs. Sandy had an iron and ironing board that I borrowed a couple of times. She had Corning Ware that I borrowed and I have one piece that she finally gave me because I borrowed it so often. It's the perfect size for warming up a portion of that special chili in the microwave. Sandy was one of a kind, a true friend, and I miss her. I am so very fortunate to have had her in my life.
I am grateful and blessed to have had Sandy as my Godmother, she gave me inspiration, motivation, and joy throughout my life. Sandy was a very special friend to mother Nancy. My Love for her will be forever.
Dwight, David, and Marsha, I’m sorry for... moreI am grateful and blessed to have had Sandy as my Godmother, she gave me inspiration, motivation, and joy throughout my life. Sandy was a very special friend to mother Nancy. My Love for her will be forever.
Dwight, David, and Marsha, I’m sorry for your loss, your mother was an amazing Lady. less
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