East Baldwin - Sandra A. Miner, age 76, passed away on January 13, 2023, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House after a long battle with dementia.
Sandra was born in Portland, Maine on January 10, 1947, a daughter of the late Alice and Lester Wood. Sandra lived her entire life on Woods Mill Road. After attending Fryeburg Academy, Sandra married the love of her life, Fred Miner on July 25, 1964. They had three sons, Kevin, Dale and Jody.
Sandra worked at a few small local businesses and then went on to work for Dr. Arthur Chapman, an optometrist in Standish, Maine for 15 years. At age 40, Sandra decided to go back to college to earn her medical assistant degree. After earning her degree, she worked as a medical assistant for 25 years. During this time, she volunteered for Sacopee Valley Rescue unit and also spent time at Baldwin School as part of the “Grandmother Program”, reading books and spending time with the children who called her “Miss Sandy”.
Sandra enjoyed her dogs, quilting, taking long walks, square dancing, country music concerts, snowmobiling, and boating. More than anything, she enjoyed her grandchildren and family gatherings. When her first grandchild was born, a new tradition began on Wednesdays, and it later changed to Thursday. Each week, it was “Nana Thursday”. After school, all the grandchildren would get to spend that day with Nana & Papa. It was a most treasured time for everyone. Nana very much enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s sporting events and was their biggest fan. There were also several annual traditions: at Easter, after enjoying a meal at the Clambake, Nana & Papa would give the grandkids new kites and the family would spend the afternoon at the beach flying the kites, taking walks and enjoying each other’s company. During the summer, Nana & Papa would take all the grandkids to Funtown or York’s Wild Kingdom to enjoy the day with them. Thanksgiving and Christmas were also special to the family and on New Year’s, Nana & Papa would invite the grandchildren ice skating at the Mill Pond and then host an overnight party with sparkling apple cider and party hats. All of these times and many more will be treasured by each of us for a lifetime.
Sandra is survived by her beloved husband, Fred; her son Kevin, his wife Sandra and their children Jordan and Dylan; her son Dale, his wife Jenn and their children Logan, her husband Dupree, Cassondra, Dakota and Jackson; her son Jody and his children Travis and Alexa, her husband Tim, and their son, Sandra’s great-grandson, Xander; her brother Lester Wood, Jr. and his wife Marilyn; her brother Larry Wood and his wife Marilyn.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday Jan. 21 from 12 - 2 PM at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish, followed by a funeral service at 2 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be held in the spring amongst family at the New West Baldwin Cemetery.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the funeral home website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial/tribute contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org/site/Donations.