Obituary of Sandra Ann Weaver
CLIFTON PARK –
It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Sandra Weaver, on December 12, 2024, at the age of 80. A resident of Clifton Park, NY, she passed peacefully and surrounded by her loving family, after a brave battle with cancer.
Sandra Ann Thomas was born on February 1st, 1944 in Gouverneur, NY to Glendon and Gladys (née Blair) Thomas. While growing up she participated in 4H and raised chickens. She was excited to visit Washington D.C. and New York City, enjoyed tap dance lessons, and always looked forward to school dances. After graduating from Gouverneur High School, she attended SUNY Canton.
While there she met the love of her life and husband of 60 years, Gary Weaver. The pair wed in 1963. They welcomed daughter Lisa the following year and son Shawn in 1967. The family lived in several areas over the years including Nashua, NH, Saratoga Springs, NY, Rome, NY, Glens Falls, NY and Greencastle, PA. Sandy, Gary and the kids made many friends along the way, and were very active in their local communities as members of the Jaycees’ civic service organization.
Sandy led a long, dedicated career in retail management. She managed many businesses across the food and beverage, convenience, variety, and thrift spaces. Her stores were meticulously organized, impeccably tidy, exceedingly warm and welcoming. Sandra’s customers often noted her stores were their favorite places to shop. She cared very sincerely for her colleagues.
She enjoyed playing tennis, softball and volleyball. Sandra loved music - rock and roll most of all - and she really loved to dance. She was a self-proclaimed Elvis fan. She “never cared for the Beatles…they were boring”. The oldies station would regularly play in the background of family heart-to-hearts while she terrorized the streets with her famously aggressive though incident-free driving (her children’s friends even referred to Sandy as “Mrs. Mario Andretti”). When an especially fun song would come on in the kitchen, she would stop whatever she was doing to grab a partner for a quick jitterbug. It was ok if you didn’t know how, she would teach you.
She was a talented craft artist, making precious toys, outfits and keepsakes for her family - one of many ways she enjoyed spoiling her five beautiful granddaughters. She sold some of her crafts at fairs, and later took an interest in antiques. She shared her passion for sewing, crafts and creative endeavors with her children and grandchildren, teaching them anything they cared to learn and providing them limitless kits and materials to attempt masterpieces of their own.
Sandy loved a sweet treat. A glass of chocolate milk. A coffee milkshake with chocolate syrup, extra thick. A McDonald’s Frappe when on the go. A toasted almond once in a while, though we never found a bartender who could make it quite right.
She loved animals and was a doting owner to many pets over the years: cats, dogs and bunnies. Like the rest of us, Nanny’s pets orbited her like the sun.
Despite her short, sweet stature, Sandy was an intimidating force, our fearless leader, and a constant, powerful stream of love and support. She carried herself through this world strongly and beautifully. For such a ceaselessly hard working person, she had strikingly elegant hands, which she shared generously for holding. Perfectly brushed hair, light wisps of subtly sweet perfume and the regal posture of a queen - to us, and to many others who knew her, she was exactly that. The unwavering effort, detail and precision she applied to everything she did - at work, at home, at play, for herself - did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. It meant the world to us. We are so proud of her. We are so grateful to her. Somehow she and Gary, better known as Nanny & Poppy, were there for nearly every birthday, dance performance, sporting event, recital, graduation, holiday, special occasion and non-occasion, no matter how large or far their family grew. They built and maintained our family’s most meaningful traditions, our favorite memories and deepest values.
Sandra, dear. Mom. Nanny. You are the heart of our family. We will love you forever and infinitely, the way you loved us. What will we do without you?
Sandra is predeceased by her parents, Glendon and Gladys Thomas, her brother Irvon Thomas, and her great-granddaughter Bayleigh Dooley. She is survived by her beloved husband Gary Weaver of Clifton Park, NY, daughter Lisa Kosek (John) of Greenfield Center, NY, son Shawn Weaver (Kimberly) of Nashua, NH, granddaughters Sarah Hall Weaver of Boston, MA, Courtney Finn (Chris) of Schenectady, Cassidy Nickels (Joe) of Saratoga Springs, NY, Melayna Dooley (Zachariah) of Scotia, and Shawna Weaver (Tyler) of Burnt Hills, her three cherished great-grandchildren Erik, Amelia and Archer, her sister Amber Swem (Junior) of Gouvernor, NY, and countless loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, Sandra’s family requests donations be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity she was quite fond of.
Cremation Arrangements have been entrusted to: Simple Choices, Inc., 218 2nd Avenue, Troy, NY 12180. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Weaver Family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com
Share Your Memory of
Sandra
