Sandra Ann Smith, 81, died on Feb. 22, 2023, from kidney disease near her home in Lake Wales, Fla. She had lived in both Florida and Otisville, N.Y., for many years.
“Sandy,” as she was known, was born on July 2, 1941, in Nyack, N.Y., and raised there until graduating from Nyack High School in 1959.
She had a nursing career spanning some 40 years. Sandy graduated from Flower Fifth Avenue New York Medical College School of Nursing in New York City in 1962, as a registered nurse. She later went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Dominican College (Blauvelt, N.Y.) in 1990.
Dedicated to her profession, Sandy cared for patients at Columbia Presbyterian, Flower Fifth Avenue, Good Samaritan, Nyack and Fair Oaks hospitals in every aspect of nursing. Along the way, she was certified in psychiatric and mental health nursing. In that capacity, she worked at the Robert L. Yeager Mental Health Center, Middletown Psychiatric Center and Brynn Psychiatric Hospital.
This vast experience served her well as an instructor at Rockland Community College (Suffern, N.Y.) and Craven Community College (New Bern, N.C.) where she taught various facets of nursing, especially mental health. Teaching gave her great satisfaction in the latter part of her career.
Outside of work, Sandy enjoyed traveling immensely, sightseeing across the United States and parts of Europe. Outdoor activities such as golf were a favorite pastime. Growing flowers and ornamental plants was an absolute passion. Horticulture books decorated her home’s coffee tables.
Sandy’s husband, Courtney, passed away on June 11, 2021. They were married 39 years. She is survived by son, Keith Shapiro, and his wife, JinHee, of Central Valley, N.Y. Her brother, Rich Kolb, resides outside of Kansas City, Mo. Two daughters – Karen Mulligan and Maryann Smith – as well as a daughter-in-law, Christine Smith, live in New Jersey and New York. Nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren round out the extended family. She was especially proud of grandson Michael Shapiro for joining the Marine Corps.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by three sons: Craig Shapiro, Courtney Smith, Jr. and Jimmy Smith.
Graveside services will be held for Sandy on May 20 at 10 a.m. in Oak Hill Cemetery on Route 9W in Nyack, N.Y. She will be buried in the Kolb family plot.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation either at the foundation’s website or by mail: PKD Foundation, PO Box 871847, Kansas City, MO 64187.