ROME – Alexandra “Sandra” Marie Dembski O’Donnell passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare. She was born in Utica, on December 9, 1940, to Theodore and Mary (Dziekonski) Dembski. Sandra insisted she was perpetually “29”.
She is a graduate of Utica Free Academy and attended both MVCC and Utica College. She frequently stated, “It’s a good day when you learn something new”. On February 4, 1961, Sandra married John Charles O’Donnell at Holy Trinity Church, together they had three children whom she loved and treasured.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. Sandra worked at Marine Midland Bank until she moved to Rome. She then worked at Griffiss Air Force Base until her children were born.
While her children were in school, Sandra was homeroom mother every year and den mother for the Boy Scouts. She worked several years for Kelly Temporary Services, where she felt every new job was a mini-education. She was Kelly Girl of the Year twice.
She returned to Griffiss where she worked for many more years. While there, Sandra organized fund drives for several local charities and was elected Secretary of the Year through several levels of the Air Force. She then moved to a government contract buying position.
Upon retiring, she volunteered with several organizations and local cancer fund events but her favorite past time was spending time with her beloved family and cherished grandchildren with whom she put on sing-alongs, made holiday crafts and dress-up costumes. She was a tireless organizer for family events, as well as annual picnics with groups of friends. She always enjoyed the camaraderie of family and friends and was an anonymous donor to many local individuals.
Sandra delighted in playing bridge in several groups with her “bridge buddies”. She enjoyed meeting with her monthly “lunch bunch,” as well as former school mates. She also had an affinity for collecting renaissance angels and crystal glass.
She relished renovating her 1830’s house and found a natural knack for decorating. An avid reader, she also edited manuscripts for several local authors. Survivng besdies her loving husband, John are three beloved children, John Charles II, Houston, TX, Kathleen, Lee Center, NY, and Christopher John and his wife Lisa, Horsham, PA, and their children, Ryan, Paige and Daniel O’Donnell; three Godchildren, Diane Dapice Greene, Tracey Vance Cerminaro and Dennis Waszkiewicz Jr., and dear friends, Pat Dapice and Fran Hnat.
She was predeceased by a very special cousin and friend, Victoria Kulesa Kowalczyk. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday 3 to 6 pm at McGrath, Myslinski, Karboski & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd. , Utica.
Funeral services will commence immediately following visitation. Spring interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Rome. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Sandra’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.
cancer.org. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The O’Donnell family would like to thank her cousin Paul Waszkiewicz for the care and compassion shown Sandra.
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