June 9, 2023
June 9, 2023
Celebration of Sandy Denton
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Contact: Sara Denton for additional details
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Contact: Sara Denton for additional details
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Sandy Denton. We will remember her forever.
Tributes
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June 7, 2023
June 7, 2023
Sandy, What a wonderful person. You always would have a smile for me, a wry comment, and the willingness to help in any way you could. Your love for Bernie and your kids was unending. I am glad that you can now be with Bernie and both of you can smile down on all your kids and grandkids.
June 7, 2023
June 7, 2023
The comfort of having a childhood friend may be taken away, but not that of having one. Sandy, you will always be my forever friend. I'll miss you until
we meet again
Love, Anita
we meet again
Love, Anita
June 5, 2023
June 5, 2023
Sandy represented home to so many people, including me. Home, not as in a place but rather a state of being and belonging. This kind, compassionate, funny and fierce woman leaves a legacy of building a strong family that loves with all their heart and builds community wherever they are. Sending much love to you all. ~The Coe family
June 3, 2023
June 3, 2023
Sandy- You were such a caring sister to Mike and I. You were an example to us in more ways than you will ever know. You loved life and appreciated everything that came your way. Mike & I will miss our visits and phone calls but most of all we will miss hearing about your children and grandchildren. You loved them unconditionally. Our Burlington visits will never be the same without you.
Rest in Peace Sandy! We love you! Mike & Josie
Rest in Peace Sandy! We love you! Mike & Josie
June 2, 2023
June 2, 2023
Sandy, knowing and loving you has been one of my life’s greatest privileges. I have had the honor of calling you my ‘Second Mom’ and you truly filled that role - with every hug, kiss, word of positive encouragement, laughter, joy and infinite contributions to my life and the life of my family members. You ARE irreplaceable. You will be INCREDIBLY missed. And I say that in the present tense because you will ALWAYS be part of me, from the way I spoil my grandkids with love, presents, cookies and so on, to the way you inspired me to learn to crochet (knitting was too hard but maybe someday …), to the way you showed me how to create family traditions … you will be there, forever. I love you from the bottom of my heart. You exemplify love, life and laughter, for is there anything more? Rest in well-deserved peace with your beloved Bernie. Your Extra Daughter, Michelle xoxoxox
June 2, 2023
June 2, 2023
I am going to miss our ice cream dates, going on drives to see the sunset, and so many more things. I will forever be grateful for everything you have done for me and for everything you have supported me through as I have gone through so much. I know you are up there with Bumpie, Little Nan, Aunt Jen, Aunt Janice, and everyone else watching over me. One day we will finally be reunited and have so much fun together. I love you to the moon and back to the worms Nana
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
June 9, 2023
June 9, 2023
Celebration of Sandy Denton
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Contact: Sara Denton for additional details
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Contact: Sara Denton for additional details
June 7, 2023
June 7, 2023
Sandy, What a wonderful person. You always would have a smile for me, a wry comment, and the willingness to help in any way you could. Your love for Bernie and your kids was unending. I am glad that you can now be with Bernie and both of you can smile down on all your kids and grandkids.
June 7, 2023
June 7, 2023
The comfort of having a childhood friend may be taken away, but not that of having one. Sandy, you will always be my forever friend. I'll miss you until
we meet again
Love, Anita
we meet again
Love, Anita
Gallery
We don’t get much snow today.
Old advertisement for the Jay County Store
Sandy's knitted purple baby sweater
Sandy's Project: Knit with Love
Sandy's Project: Knit with Love
Sandy's Project: Knit with Love
At anniversary party - Cake by Sara
Her Life
Sandra Charles Denton
June 2, 2023
Sandra Charles Denton (née Smith), 79, passed peacefully at her home in Burlington, VT, on Sat., May 27th, with her loving family by her side.
Born in North Troy, Vermont, she was the daughter of the late Wilda and Garth Smith. Sandy met the love of her life, Bernard Allen Denton, at North Troy High School where their love story began. They were married on November 30, 1963. They had a beautiful life together that lasted over a half of century.
Sandy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bernie. She is survived by her family: Sara Beth Denton, and partner, Andrew Levi, of Burlington, VT; Marc Curtis (Allyn) Denton of Milton, VT; Wanda Ellen Denton (Bruce) Audette of S. Burlington, VT. She is also survived by loving grandchildren: Madison Mae Denton (of whom she is named after Sandy’s loving aunt, Jennie Mae); Curtis (Caryssa) Denton, Allie Marie Denton, Neveah Denton, Connor Chase, Shanise Chase; and Katelynn (Erin) Audette, Ashley (Eileen) Van Horn, and Bethany (Justin) Brunet; Brother, Michael (Josie) Smith; Sister-in-law, Karleen Denton. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, friends, church and community members who she adored dearly.
In North Troy, Sandy held tight to her family and upbringing and often journeyed back to visit relatives and share memories with her children and grandchildren about times past. She loved recalling the old days and these memories and associations were part of her very fabric.
When Sandy and Bernard were first married, they managed the Jay Country Store in Jay, VT. They spent many days as a young, married couple learning to run a business and acquiring skills that suited them later in their professional and home-making lives.
A member of St. Andrew’s Church in Colchester, VT. She lived her life based on the true example of Christ's values – loving God and loving others. A faithful church-goer, Sandy spent her time in church and loved being part of the altar guild, choir, Sunday school and church group she attended weekly with loving friends.
In the 70s, when unmarried, expectant mothers had nowhere to go due to the stigma of being a single parent, Sandy offered her beautiful home and all of its comforts as a place to live until safe arrangements could be made. When the babies were born, Sandy educated the young mothers on how to care for the babies, and eventually, she set them up in their own home. It’s impossible to say what would have happened to these young ladies and children in a time before many state services were available, but we do know that she positively impacted countless lives.
Sandy fondly remembered how her grandmother taught her to knit. She said she would sit her down with a skein of yarn and knit until it was completed. Then she’d “…rip it all out and do it over again until it was perfected!” Those skills came in handy as she provided literally hundreds and possibly thousands of knitted items to friends and family throughout the years. And as if that wasn’t enough, Sandy created Legacy Boxes of sweaters, blankets and hats to give to grandchildren and special friends for their generations to come.
Some of Sandy’s work included artisan crafts such as afghans, sweaters, hats, knitted wash clothes, dishrags, quilts, counted-cross stitch, ceramics and handmade cards. Even though Sandy’s work was stitch-perfect, she never fully understood how talented she was and never completely recognized her superior craftsmanship. She did, however, inspire others to knit and crochet. She inspired lifelong friend, Michelle Miller, to knit newborn hats for hospital babies at UVMMC in honor of her life. This is just one more way that Sandy’s artistic legacy continues and will continue for generations to come.
‘Aunt Sandy,’ known by close friends’ children, was loved by so many but being ‘Nana’ was her most important role. A great-grandma to Quinn and little Noah, they made her heart soar. She would go to great lengths to spend just a few minutes with them, and her face lit up like a Christmas tree when talking about them. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren provided countless hours of joy and have long and lasting memories of her.
Through all kinds of weather, and even when she was critically ill and physically unstable, Sandy wanted to be no place else but watching Madison on the bleachers, cheering her on in her softball games, and showing her love and support. Through all kinds of events and celebrations, like their surprise anniversary party, Sandy embraced the fun and enjoyed every one of life’s moments. Even when times were difficult, ‘Nan’ was there to provide her warm smile, hold a hand, and listen with love and concern. Her endless wealth of love for her children, grandchildren, family and friends, will be deeply missed by all.
Children, to Sandy, were the light of her life. Disadvantaged children through the Fresh Air Fund, loved spending summers at the Denton house. She opened her home to countless foster children who she loved as her own. Neighborhood children flocked to the Denton home in the summer and throughout the year. Sandy never let a crying child go without a hug or a happy child go without a smile and a laugh of encouragement. She loved nothing better than to spoil children with love, kisses, presents, cookies and suckers. She retired from over two decades of service at The Baird Center where she touched the lives of hundreds of children, families and coworkers. She was the first to greet everyone with a warm, welcoming, loving smile as they walked through the doors.
Sandy and Bernard opened their pool at their Gazo Avenue home in Burlington every summer for all to come and play. Many hours were spent in their spectacularly clean pool and sitting by the side of it eating her homemade lunches and abundantly large, chocolate chip cookies. The lush, green grass of their lawn was meticulously manicured by Bernie as both worked together to create the perfect paradise for their children, family and friends.
Sandy especially loved Christmas and made everything extra special for the holiday including baking homemade pork pies with gravy, her famous peanut butter fudge and many other sweet treats. Even for children who weren’t their own, she knitted stockings for them, stuffed full of items the child wanted. She was always known as the best gift giver. Sandy was magic. She made everything possible and was always focused on helping others and making lives better. She instilled in her children the importance of paying it forward.
When the New North End expanded in the 70s, Sandy met Nancy Effron, a life-long friend. The two young mothers moved within a few houses of each other, and through thick and thin, these ladies maintained a 50-year friendship. In their younger days, they could be found having coffee together in driveways while watching their kids speed around with Big Wheels or splashing in the Denton pool.
An impossibly cruel ending, Sandy was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia a few years ago. Though she was robbed of many wonderful years, she faced her illness with superhuman grace and love. When talking with Sandy about how she was doing, she always minimized her daily struggles and extreme pain, and would rather hear about you. She was thrilled to learn about family stories, and even the little things delighted her. To know Sandy was to want to make her laugh. Her beautiful laugh will be lovingly ingrained in the memory of loved ones forever.
SERVICE: A funeral is scheduled for Sat., June 10th at 10:00 a.m., at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1063 Prim Rd. in Colchester.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in care of Sara Denton for creation of the future Sandy’s Project: Knit with Love. This project funds yarn for knitted hats for newborns in honor of her memory. These hats will be knitted by family and friends and other generous community members in remembrance of Sandy. Every single baby delivered at UVMMC will receive a hat for the life of this project. Sandy’s Project: Knit with Love is a perfect way to honor her legacy for years to come. Donations can be sent to Sara Denton, ℅ Sandy’s Fund, 126 Brierwood Ln, Burlington, Vt 05408 or to Community Bank 1014 North Ave., Burlington, Vt 05408. Kindly note in the memo that your donation is for Sandy’s Project: Knit with Love.
Memories can be shared on Forever Missed at https://www.forevermissed.com/sandy-denton
The family would like to thank Dr. Diane Hakey and UVM Home Health & Hospice for their compassionate care.
Arrangements made by Stephen C. Gregory and Son Cremation Service -
S. Burlington
Sandy's Project: Knit with Love
June 7, 2023
Donations can be made in care of Sara Denton for creation of the future
Sandy’s Project: Knit with Love
This project funds yarn for knitted hats for newborns in honor of her memory. These hats will be knitted by family and friends and other generous community members in remembrance of Sandy. Every single baby delivered at UVMMC will receive a hat for the life of this project. Sandy’s Project is a perfect way to honor her legacy for years to come. Donations can be sent to Sara Denton, ℅ Sandy’s Fund, 126 Brierwood Ln, Burlington, Vt 05408 or to Community Bank 1014 North Ave., Burlington, Vt 05408. Kindly note in the memo that your donation is for
Sandy’s Project, Knit with Love.
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Sharing the Love ... Sandy's Knitting & More
June 8, 2023
If you have story about Sandy, a photo of her knitting, a photo of your newborn hat for Sandy's Project: Knit for Love, or anything at all that you'd like to share, please send your contribution to web admin, Michelle Miller, at MichelleMiller0104@gmail.com. Please follow up within a week. Thank you!