GUILDERLAND — Sandee Piculell was known for her loving care and generosity with her family and friends, and with the children she helped at Guilderland’s Farnsworth Middle School.

Ms. Piculell died on Friday, July 7, 2017, surrounded by people who loved her. She was 65.

“She was admired by a wealth of dear friends, colleagues, and community members, and especially adored by her husband, children, sister, and cousin,” her family wrote in a tribute that tells her life story:

“On Oct. 21, 1951, Sandee was born to proud parents, Isadore ‘Izzy’ and Beatrice ‘Bea’ (née Liss) Morena, joining her sister, Beverly, and grandmother, Eva (née Liss), ‘Nanna,’ whom she admired tremendously. The family lived in Inwood, Manhattan in an apartment on Thayer Street.

“Their living room wall was shared with Sandee’s dear friend for life and next-door neighbor, Kathy Meleney (née Markey). Their moms would knock on the wall when it was time for each of the girls to come home from a play date. As they grew up, they would run around the city and spend every Sunday at the movies together.

“With their friend David Golden supporting them (then and now), Sandee and Rob were married on Long Island at The Galaxy on Oct. 28, 1973. Sandee wore an au courant wedding gown with long sleeves. Their song was ‘Night and Day’ by Cole Porter.

“Sandee and Rob danced their way through the ’70s, living in tiny apartments in Greenwich Village, first on Jane Street and then on West 11th Street. They dressed to the nines and stayed out all night, dancing to the music of Donna Summer and Anita Ward.

“Sandee would ride with Rob on his Triumph motorcycle. She wore fabulous huge amber sunglasses and her wavy hair long, down her back. It blew in the wind behind them.

“Many summers were spent in Cape Cod with dear friends Bobbi, Stephan, and Lauren Melnick, sharing parenting all summer long, building rituals of silliness and a special ease that comes with feeling hot sand between the toes.

“Sandee could often be observed in any one of several familiar poses: reclined on the beach with a newspaper folded to the Sunday New York Times crossword, pencil over her ear, curly hair lifted in a banana clip or a red visor; poring over a jigsaw puzzle with a million pieces, placing pieces in the right spots; snacking on burnt pretzels; rubbing aloe on sunburns; kissing foreheads goodnight; laughing on the phone with friends, catching them up on the latest about all the others, who may have never met, but who would grow to know each other by way of hearing their stories shared by Sandee, over the years.

“Sandee served the Guilderland Central School District for many years, supporting the Special Education Department at Farnsworth Middle School, as well as many appreciative students who looked forward to chatting at her desk.

“Colleagues relied upon her with confidence as she strived to improve the systems for addressing students’ unique needs, ever mindful of the needs of their families as well. The school was a place to connect with people she admired, as well as many who recognized her complex talents and treasured her resourcefulness. Many close friendships were forged, and many counted on her warmth and good counsel.

“Sandee proudly gave her time to numerous theatrical productions of the FMS Mask, long after her children had moved on to high school, and she continued to build an extensive community of trusted colleagues and friends. She stayed after hours at school to practice sculpture, clay work, and calligraphy.  She wrote extensively and consistently to our elected officials.

“Rob and Sandee hosted decades of Thanksgiving dinners at their home, which were always well attended. Thanksgiving Eves were typically times for dancing in the kitchen, an activity their children would joyfully cherish and incorporate into their own lives.

“With a host of professional accomplishments, her greatest pride — shared with Rob — was the raising of their children. She had an unshakeable network of family and dear friends-made-family built with care over the course of 65 years of life. An incredible circle of women rallied around her. Forty-four years of marriage. A lifetime of profound loving care and generosity that will be held dearly for all the days ahead.  A full life lived elegantly with grace and exquisite taste. A job well done.”

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Sandra Piculell is survived by her husband, Robert Piculell; her children, Stacey Hubert and her husband, Steven, and Gregory Piculell; her sister, Beverly Gibson, and her husband, Alan; and her cousin, June Strand.

Her family will receive visitors at their home during the following times:

— Sunday, July 9, between 1 and 4 p.m.; and

— Monday, July 10, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and then between 4 and 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital, 310 S. Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208 or to Therapy Dogs International, 88 Bartley Road, Flanders, NJ 07836.