Obituary for Sandra Van Ness (Crowley)
Of Medfield, passed away on March 25, 2020 after a brief illness.
Sandra was born on April 11, 1937 to Herbert L. and Constance B. Crowley of Lexington, MA where she grew up, and after graduating High School in 1954 she went on to study Physical Education at Russell Sage College receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in 1958. Sandra went on to get a Master’s Degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 1993, much to her family’s immense pride.
She taught for several years in the Wakefield School System and at Walnut Hill School. After her children were grown, she joined Andover Newton Theological School first as an Assistant to the Dean of Students and later as the Director of Student Financial Aid retiring in 2002 after 22 years of service.
Sandra was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Medfield and a person of great Christian belief, which guided her through her life.
An accomplished athlete in multiple sports she excelled at field hockey and was a member of the U.S. Women’s Field Hockey Team.
She enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on the Vineyard first as a child with her grandparents, then with her children and then her grandchildren. Sandy enjoyed swimming, biking, hiking and walking with her family and dog, Sailor.
In 1954 she met her beloved Robert and they wed in 1961, going on to have two children, Stephen and Susan.
Sandra was predeceased by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years Robert W. Van Ness, her children Stephen C. Van Ness (Lisa) of Plymouth, MA and Susan deBettencourt (William) of Oak Bluffs, MA, Grandchildren Bethany Hammond (Stephen), Stephen Van Ness, William deBettencourt (Cassidy) and Andrew Van Ness and Great Grandchildren Silas Hammond and Hazel deBettencourt.
Sandra is also survived by her brothers Richard Crowley and his wife Lisa, and David Crowley and his husband Francis and numerous nephews and nieces.
Funeral service will be Thursday August 6th 1PM at the Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Vine Lake Cemetery.
Sandra was born on April 11, 1937 to Herbert L. and Constance B. Crowley of Lexington, MA where she grew up, and after graduating High School in 1954 she went on to study Physical Education at Russell Sage College receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in 1958. Sandra went on to get a Master’s Degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 1993, much to her family’s immense pride.
She taught for several years in the Wakefield School System and at Walnut Hill School. After her children were grown, she joined Andover Newton Theological School first as an Assistant to the Dean of Students and later as the Director of Student Financial Aid retiring in 2002 after 22 years of service.
Sandra was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Medfield and a person of great Christian belief, which guided her through her life.
An accomplished athlete in multiple sports she excelled at field hockey and was a member of the U.S. Women’s Field Hockey Team.
She enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on the Vineyard first as a child with her grandparents, then with her children and then her grandchildren. Sandy enjoyed swimming, biking, hiking and walking with her family and dog, Sailor.
In 1954 she met her beloved Robert and they wed in 1961, going on to have two children, Stephen and Susan.
Sandra was predeceased by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years Robert W. Van Ness, her children Stephen C. Van Ness (Lisa) of Plymouth, MA and Susan deBettencourt (William) of Oak Bluffs, MA, Grandchildren Bethany Hammond (Stephen), Stephen Van Ness, William deBettencourt (Cassidy) and Andrew Van Ness and Great Grandchildren Silas Hammond and Hazel deBettencourt.
Sandra is also survived by her brothers Richard Crowley and his wife Lisa, and David Crowley and his husband Francis and numerous nephews and nieces.
Funeral service will be Thursday August 6th 1PM at the Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Vine Lake Cemetery.