Sandra J. Grippin

Sandra J. Grippin, daughter of James W. and P. Jane (Dibble) Flye passed away at home October 23, 2010, surrounded by her husband, family, and beloved pets. Sandi was born in Danbury, grew up on the shores of Lake Candlewood and had an idyllic childhood cruising on her parents' large cabin boat, playing ball, riding bikes, and attending huge family picnics. She graduated from Danbury High in 1963 and earned a business degree at Green Mountain College . She worked at Davis and Geck, was office manager and head of sales at Daret Color Corp., and later a paralegal for Ventura and Ventura, all of Danbury, On September 14, 1974, she married David Grippin in Middletown Springs, VT. and was an admin. assistant at Pizzagalli Construction of Burlington. In 1988 Sandi and Dave bought Rutland Express, a freight/courier service for northern New England . Sandi was chairman of the Education Committee and a Sunday school teacher at N. Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church . She was a founding member of NAWIC, President of Monkton Boro Cemetary Assoc, member of the Mercedes Benz Club, and a social member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club.. Sandi had numerous interests, a keen intellect, and was a voracious reader. She enjoyed watching and caring for the birds and wild animals on her property, and was known for taking in strays. Together, she and Dave enjoyed gardening, traveling, antiquing, fairs, car shows, motorcycle touring and boating on Lake Champlain . Sandi saw beauty in everything, from the VT. Birds, to friends in Sweden , pink Bermuda beaches, jungles and cities of Belize , Guatemala, Mexico and Jamaica . Sandi was predeceased by her parents, sister Evelyn, brothers Robert and George and step son David Jr. She is survived by David, her beloved husband and sole mate of 42 years of N. Ferrisburgh, brothers James of Middletown Springs, VT, Donald of New Milford, Ct.and his wife Donna, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and best friends, Danny Cornell, Jan Hamlin, Connie Timan Hine, JoAnn Re Panzetta, Ruth Ball, JoAnn Sheehan Verga, Dorothy Sawyer and her special friend Britt Cantela, who lovingly cared for her in the last days of her life. A celebration of Sandi's life will be held at the United Methodist Church, Rt. 7, Ferrisburgh, VT. on November 13th at 1pm. A private burial will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial gifts may be made to your local humane society or by planting a tree, perennial shrub or flower.