Sandra Vera Tolley (Butterworth), 76, formerly of Bristol

She gave without prejudice and was grateful for all she had

Posted 2/16/18

Sandra passed away peacefully at her home in Fairport, N.Y., on Jan. 26, 2018, after a long and courageous battle with degenerative brain disease. Her best friend and husband of almost 57 years, …

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Sandra Vera Tolley (Butterworth), 76, formerly of Bristol

She gave without prejudice and was grateful for all she had

Posted

Sandra passed away peacefully at her home in Fairport, N.Y., on Jan. 26, 2018, after a long and courageous battle with degenerative brain disease. Her best friend and husband of almost 57 years, John, was by her side.

She is survived by John, sons Steven (Lois) and Paul (Kris), and grandchildren Kenny (Heather), Samantha, John, Aiden and Leah.

Sandra was born in Oldham, England, on April 17, 1941, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1968, moving to Bristol in 1989. She was active in the First Congregational Church as a deacon and choir member and created the “Art on the Fence” art show.

She touched thousands of lives through her work as a founder of the East Bay Food Pantry and Thrift shop, and micro soccer league; and was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the 14th Cavalry for her assistance in helping supply a soccer tournament in Iraq.

She was honored by the Rotary and the State of Rhode Island for her volunteerism. Prior to coming to Bristol, she started her working career in the cotton mills of Lancashire, England, and through night school and hard work she finished her working life in office management.

Sandra was a resident of Meriden, Conn., for many years, where she received the Pride of Meriden Award for her work with the Boys’ Club and the Literacy Volunteer program, where she taught English to non-native speakers.

She was a lifelong Ballroom Dancer (once winning a gold medal), loved Black Labs, knitted hundreds of baby blankets, and cooked thousands of shepherd’s pies for anyone in need.  She would volunteer her time, as well as John’s, to almost any need that presented itself without concern for herself.

She was very proud of her sons and grandchildren and was known to stop total strangers and tell them so. She traveled with no less than a gallon-bag full of mints at all times and would drop EVERYTHING for any chance to play with her grandchildren. 

She gave without prejudice, was grateful for all she had, and was a proud American but never forgot where she was from.

A celebration of her life will take place at 10 a.m. on Aug. 4, 2018, at the First Congregational Church in Bristol R.I.

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