Sister Sandra Magnini

Magnini, OP,

Sister Sandra

Sister Sandra Magnini, OP, of Dominican Convent, Sparkill, New York, died on October 23, 2011 in Siena Hall Infirmary, Sparkill, NY. Born in Florence, Italy on November 8, 1919, Alexandra Magnini was the daughter of Giuseppe Tullio and Teresa Alice Bassani Magnini. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on February 2, 1942 and became known as Sister Mary Anthony, professing her first vows in 1943 and her final vows in 1948. Sister Sandra earned a BA in French from Manhattan College, NY and a MA in Home Economics from Teachers College, Columbia University, NY. During her professional life, Sister Sandra was a teacher in elementary and high school. She served in the Archdioceses of New York and St. Louis, and in the Diocese of Syracuse at St. James School, St. Louis, MO (1943-46); St. Mary School, Fulton, NY (1946-50); St. Catherine of Siena School, New York, NY (1950-54); St. Columba School, Chester, NY (1954-60); St. Helena/Monsignor Scanlan High School, Bronx, NY (1960-72); Albertus Magnus High School, Bardonia, NY (1972-78 & 1996-2002). From 1979-1983, Sister Sandra worked in Botswana, Africa as a member of the Peace Corps and then remained working for the Catholic Missions teaching sewing skills to the women in the village of Muan, Africa until 1988. Upon her return from Africa she was a staff member at Villa St. Joseph in Saugerties, NY and then taught in St. Michael's, AZ from 1990-1994. From 1995-96 she taught English to children in Vilnius, Lithuania. Upon her retirement she continued to remain active until she became a resident in Siena Hall Infirmary in 2007.

Sister Sandra is predeceased by her brother, Theobald Magnini and nephew, Joseph Magnini. She is survived by her nephews, Paul Magnini (JoAnne) of Blacksburg, VA and Robert Magnini (Mary) of Alexandria, VA; her niece, Ann Marie Frati (Fil); her cousin, Regina Temple of Boca Raton, FL and many grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins and friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Dominican Convent, Sparkill, NY, on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 10:30am. Visitation is on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 from 3:30 to 8:00pm at the Convent, 175 Rte. 340, Sparkill, NY. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Sparkill. Arrangements are by Higgins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Dominican Sisters, at the above address, attention-Sister Mary Murray, President.