Sandra L. Jarvis

It was a running joke among Sandra's family that you never wanted her to tell you about a movie. So thorough was she, that seeing the movie was redundant. And if you watched the movie with her, you had to be able to tune her out. "Oh, watch this part! Watch! Watch! It's coming up. Watch! This is so funny!" But that was Sandra. If she found joy in something, she wanted to share it.


Sandra found a lot of joy in her life. Some joys were big: her family, her daughter, her grandchildren, her personal faith. Some joys were small: a warm Spring day, a tart margarita, the tick of a clock, a colorful bouquet of flowers. But she took pleasure in them all without reservation. She was a warm and open person who made others feel good simply by being herself. To meet her once was to feel like you'd known her your whole life; to know her your whole life was to feel blessed.


Sandra took a lot of ribbing for being innocent and naive, but she was in on the joke. She'd faced her share of tragedy and hard times in her life, but she made the conscious decision to choose hope and optimism over cynicism and despair. It was a brave choice. It takes courage to see the good in the bad, and the fact that she made it seem so natural and effortless was a testament to her strength of character and an inspiration to anyone who knew her.


Wherever she lived, her home was cozy and inviting, like a favorite blanket. Anyone was welcome at any time, and spending time with her was always fun. She was a fun person, and funny to boot. She recognized the absurdities in life and chose to find the humor in them. She was fiercely loyal and a steady source of support for anyone who needed it. She was inspired and inspiring and a comforting presence. The world is darker without her in it, but all the brighter for having had her in it.


Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Shirley, and her brother-in-law John. She is survived by her sister Sharon and her two children; her brother Joe, sister-in-law Linda, and their four children; her sister Cynthia, brother-in-law Roberto, and their three children; grand nieces and nephews; and her daughter Elisa and grandchildren Spenser and Kelly.


Flowers may be sent for the family to Newcomer Funeral Home or you may make a donation in memory of Sandra to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.


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