Sandy Hudler

Sandra Hudler NORFOLK - Sandy Hudler, 62, passed away surrounded by loved ones Aug. 30, 2008, in her home in Troy, Mont., after a courageous battle with cancer. Sandy was born in Cheverly, Md., June 29, 1946. As a young child, she grew up in Hawaii and Bremerton, Wash., and began grade school in Norfolk. She graduated from Norview High School and Old Dominion University where she earned a B.A. in elementary education. She began her working career and taught in the Norfolk school system as a third, fourth and fifth-grade teacher. The children gravitated to her teaching style. She also obtained her master's degree at Old Dominion University, thus allowing her to begin the additional challenges as a "helping teacher," spending 2-3 weeks with newer teachers. This activity sparked her interest in elementary administration involvement. She applied and was accepted as one of Norfolk Public Schools' assistant principals. She spent the next 10 years of her working career at several schools in the job of assistant principal. All students called her "Mrs. Hudler" and hugs were exchanged daily. She retired June 15, 2001, after 32 years with the Norfolk school system. She resided in Chesapeake for two years then moved to Portland, Ore., as a result of her husband's employment and then they truly retired to Troy, Mont., to a log cabin on the Kootenai River. Her northwestern Montana interest with the "Red Hat" ladies and local friends made Sandy the person people called a "special lady." She also enjoyed her beach time in Duck, N.C., where she loved collecting shells and running her dog on the beach. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 33 years, Chuck Hudler; daughter, Deb Deatrick and her husband Ted; son, Joe Hudler; brother, Tom Lawrence; sister, JoAnn Anderson and her husband Matte; sister-in-law, Leila Lawrence; four grandsons, Cody, Jesse and Wyatt Hudler and Charlie Deatrick; one granddaughter, Mary Deatrick; nieces and nephews, Dee Dee and Brandon Lawrence, Kathryn and Sarah Anderson; and special goddaughter, Paige McMillan, who all adored her. Her family and special friends will miss her "in love with life's daily greeting." Family and friends are invited to a memorial service Saturday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. at Holloman-Brown Funeral Home, 1264 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, officiated by the Rev. Richard Keever. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Norfolk Public Schools, "Student Mentoring Program," 800 East City Hall Ave., Norfolk, VA 23510.