Sandra ‘Sandy’ (née Martin) Boyden-O’Neil, a mother who also worked as a school teacher and office manager, enjoyed quiet pastimes like needlework and raising orchids but also liked watching cars race at Watkins Glen.

She died on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020. She was 75.

She was born to the late Edward and Margaret Martin on Dec. 5, 1944. She attended Voorheesville’s high school before attending the State University of New York at Cortland. She became a school teacher and later managed a physician’s office.

Some of her favorite times came while volunteering at the Paleontological Research Institute in Ithaca.  A former resident of Conklin and Ithaca, she spent her retirement years near her family in Richmond, Virginia.

“Sandy enjoyed needlework and gardening, especially growing orchids,” her family wrote in a tribute. “In contrast, she often went to Watkins Glen to see the car races.

“In her most recent years, Sandy enjoyed going to the movies, out to lunch with the ‘lunch-bunch’ at The Hermitage, and getting visits from her grandchildren.”

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Sandra ‘Sandy’ (née Martin) Boyden-O’Neil is survived by her sister, Linda DeHaas, and her husband, George; her brother Edward Martin, her brother Richard Martin and his wife, Linda, son Mark Boyden and his wife, Jennifer, her stepdaughter, Christina Murray, and her husband, Sean.

She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Kaitlin Boyden, Tyler Boyden, and Anna Murray, and by her niece Jocelyn DeHaas and nephew Andrew DeHaas.

Her husband, Lawrence O’Neil, died before her as did her stepdaughter, Jennifer O’Neil.  

“Sandra requested to be interred near her parents at Memory Gardens in Albany,” her family wrote. “Lawrence will be interred with her.” Internment will be in the spring.

“The family wishes to thank The Hermitage in Richmond, Virgina for their attentive and loving care and for all of those who cared for her during her last days,” her family wrote.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.