Sandra Jean HARDER

HARDER, Sandra Jean Robinson Sandra Jean Robinson Harder, 63, passed away at her home on Monday, (April 25, 2011). Born in February 1948 to Raymond and Dorothy Robinson, Sandra grew up on the family dairy farm in Hardwick, MA. She graduated from Hardwick High School, where as an outstanding student she won the Bausch and Lomb award for excellence in Math and Science. After her graduation as an education major at University of Massachusetts Amherst, Sandy and her husband, Tony, were married in January 1969. They then moved to Florida, where Sandy worked as an elementary schoolteacher. They moved to Old Saybrook in 1974, where they raised four children. Sandy leaves her devoted husband Tony after 42 years of marriage and is survived by daughter Robin and husband German Dziebel of Natick, MA; daughter Hilary and husband Andrew Hurdis of Ivoryton, CT; daughter Jill Harder and fiancé Ted Hartenstein of Old Saybrook, CT; and son Jeffrey and wife Siobhan Harder of Osterville, MA, as well as her two grandchildren, Elliott Hurdis and Alexandra Dziebel. She is survived by sisters Judith, Bonnie, BettyJo, and brother Raymond. Her extended family includes numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sandy will be remembered by all as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who cheerfully and eagerly served in civic organizations and at the First Church of Christ in Old Saybrook. She was vice-chairman of the Old Saybrook Board of Education and was elected to four consecutive terms over 16 years. While on the Board, she was instrumental in capital improvements, professional recruitment, and curriculum development, all of which contributed to the outstanding reputation enjoyed by the Old Saybrook School System. Sandy will also be remembered by many for her years of employment as Business Manager of Saybrook Lawn and Power Equipment and more recently as an early childhood educator at My Second Home. Others will remember her as a Girl Scout troop leader, a softball coach, an administrative member of the Old Saybrook chapter of the American Field Service, a former president of the Goodwin School PTO, and a volunteer for numerous school and church committees. In addition to her passions for family, education, and the community, Sandy enjoyed travel. Her journeys included numerous trips across the U.S. and touring Japan, Iceland, England, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Old Saybrook Education Fund or to the Shoreline Soup kitchen at the First Church of Christ in Old Saybrook. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. (TODAY) Wednesday, (April 27, 2011) at the First Church of Christ (Congregational) in Old Saybrook. The funeral service will be held at First Church on Thursday, (April 28, 2011) at 11 a.m. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com to leave an online condolence or tribute.