Sandy was one of the first Scully's I met while Mike and I were just dating, back in 2008. I had flown up from Charlotte for a visit, and we went to the Daffodil Festival that weekend. I met Tom and Sandy when we parked at their house for the festival.  I remember how warm and kind Sandy was, and her smile just lit up her face. She and Tom were both so welcoming, and really made me feel like a part of the family.

In the following years, I would come to learn that the warmth, kindness, and generosity I experienced that day was Sandy's "signature look". She was always smiling, and making the best of every situation. Her laugh was contagious, and I can still hear it in my mind. She loved her family so much, and had an amazing way of making those around her feel loved. Whether it was helping out someone in need, cooking a holiday meal (her stuffed bread was the best!), or simply spending time together and talking, she was a joy to be around.

I am reminded of how much fun our two children had with her during our last visit to CT. She certainly had a way with kids, and ours were no exception. I remember how much fun they were having, laughing and giggling...

My hope is that Sandy's legacy will live on through those who knew her and loved her. I know she has inspired me to be a better person, and to live my life with as much joy and gratitude as she did. Sandy truly was a gift to all of us, and I will miss her terribly.

Rest in sweet peace, Sandy.

Honor, faith, love, and loyalty served with a warm, genuine smile are all words that come to mind when I think of Sandy. I am honored and privileged to have walked under this beautiful umbrella. It is still a challenge to think of such great beauty in the past tense. I am comforted knowing that all the wonder that was Sandy lives on in my heart even without her presence.

It seems that we were friends forever. It was our shared faith that made the initial connection but it quickly grew to a deep, abiding friendship. We shared struggles. We cried together. We laughed together. We prayed together. We celebrated together. We loved together. Most of all, our friendship existed without boundaries. 

I will always cherish Tom and Sandy visiting at my mother's wake. We were fairly new friends at the time. This was a small example of Sandy's heart. I was gifted with the joy of seeing the Scully family grow together in greater love as Tommy and Susie experienced teenage struggles and matured. They returned not only to their family but to God and their faith. I will always remember celebrating...SummerJam...Holidays....25th Anniversary...beach days....and just being together for a meal or a visit. Being in Sandy's presence was always a present!

There is so much I could say but I am being blinded by tears. Sandy lived her faith through love, sharing it with her genuine, beautiful, encompassing smile. My life is so much richer for having had the treasure of Sandy in it. Her memory will always bring a smile not only to my lips but to my heart. 

Your precious memory will be treasured until we meet again!    Love, Elizabeth

There was a sparkle in her happy tear filled eyes as she looked at me, the bride to be, in the wedding dress I had chosen. She nodded her head and told me I was beautiful. As I turned around to look in the mirror, she came up behind me, put her gentle hands on my shoulder, and whispered, "Papa and I want to buy this dress for you". I was overcome with emotion, and completely lost for words. All I could do was gaze into her lovely face and think of how blessed I was to be marrying into this family. She was more than I had prayed for in a mother in law, so the name "mama" was fitting and deemed perfection. 

This is just one of the many instances that I felt completely loved and supported by mama. With every milestone in our lives - from engagement, to marriage, to moving, to having her granddaughters - she was there, cheering us on, with lots of happy tears and hugs along the way. Every time we departed, we shared tight, long, comfortable hugs and tears ran down her silky cheeks at our departure. These moments were the only time I ever saw her cry tears of sadness. What I would give to hug her long and tight and whisper how much she is missed.

She was more than an answer to my prayers for a mama, she was my 3 young daughters "Naunnie". Every year, we received many cards and gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's Day, anniversaries, and many times just because we were constantly on her mind. Those gifts are now treasures we will hold onto in memory of her love. 

Although I was blessed to call her mama for 6 years, the moments we shared together felt like an eternity. And eternity is what we will spend together, one day not too far away. We both share a love for water and the sun, and I envision long blissful walks through heavenly gardens to go to the river of life as we dip our toes in the perfectly cool, healing waters. 

Until that day, my heart is saddened at too sudden a departure. At the same time, overflowing with joy at the daily daydreams I have of eternity together. Until then, Mama, I will tell of your love to your granddaughters, and anyone else who will listen. I will miss you everyday, especially the really special days that we cherished together. I will envision your infectious smile, and replay your contagious giggle in my head. I will see you in the ocean, and the sun, all the flowers and all the beauty in the world. And I will forever long for that warm embrace of yours as we cry tears of joy, fulfilling the longed for reunion of eternity together, at last.