Sandra J. Toomey, Age 79, died Monday, January 12, 2026 at home in Gainesville, VA. Sandy was born in Elmira, NY on October 22, 1946, the daughter of the late Florence Toomey and Frances Gladke (Toomey). She was predeceased by her daughter, Heidi Hrdlicka in 2009 and beloved dogs Tasha and Winkie.
She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Goldsmith of Oak Hill, VA and her son-in-law, Brett Goldsmith of Oak Hill, VA; her grandchildren Henry and Charlie Goldsmith; cousins Cinda Lawrence, Martha Lawrence, Deb Lawrence Wolf, and Pam Lawrence Flaherty; nephew Adam King and nieces Jennifer and Lisa King and an abundance of friends who she cared for dearly.
Sandy divorced in 1979 and despite the challenges of being a single parent, she tackled the numerous difficulties and enrolled in the Elmira Business Institute to learn the skills necessary to become a secretary to support her family. She made the brave decision to move herself and the girls from Elmira, NY to Boca Raton, Florida to find better employment opportunities. It was in Florida that she began working for the IRS, which initiated a long career as a federal employee.
She went on to serve at the Department of Justice and later at the Executive Office of the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), where she found her niche and formed lasting friendships with deeply supportive colleagues.
Sandy retired from the government in 2008, and moved to Hilton Head, SC because she was happiest at the beach with the ocean breezes. Even though she was retired, she kept busy and volunteered her time at the Hilton Head Hospital greeting and transporting patients with her friendly demeanor and wonderful smile.
She and the family experienced heartache in 2009 when her daughter, Heidi passed away unexpectedly. This despair was soothed in the following years by the wedding of Sandy’s oldest daughter in 2011 and when she became a grandmother in 2012. Sandy then moved to the Richmond, VA area to be closer to family. Sandy loved spending time with her “grands” and saw them as often as she could. She loved attending their basketball games, birthdays, and other family events as Grandma Sandy! She impacted the Richmond area by volunteering with food pantries and delivered fruit to those in need. Sandy never met a beach or ocean she didn’t like and enjoyed going on cruises with friends whenever she could. Sandy was a devoted Buffalo Bills and Notre Dame football fan and had an impressive knowledge of college football. She inspired Melanie to be an avid recycler and to pay attention to politics and current events. She made friends wherever she was, people adored her. She was a shining light in so many people's lives.
When Heidi passed away unexpectedly, the family along with friends, planted a tree in remembrance of Heidi on the grounds of the Arlington County VA Animal Shelter. Her family is inquiring about planting a tree for Sandy right next to Heidi’s tree so they will always be together. Sandy loved visiting that tree knowing something beautiful was growing to honor Heidi’s memory.
In lieu of services and flowers, Sandy would appreciate donations being made to The Compassionate Friends Organization or The Sierra Club.
She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Goldsmith of Oak Hill, VA and her son-in-law, Brett Goldsmith of Oak Hill, VA; her grandchildren Henry and Charlie Goldsmith; cousins Cinda Lawrence, Martha Lawrence, Deb Lawrence Wolf, and Pam Lawrence Flaherty; nephew Adam King and nieces Jennifer and Lisa King and an abundance of friends who she cared for dearly.
Sandy divorced in 1979 and despite the challenges of being a single parent, she tackled the numerous difficulties and enrolled in the Elmira Business Institute to learn the skills necessary to become a secretary to support her family. She made the brave decision to move herself and the girls from Elmira, NY to Boca Raton, Florida to find better employment opportunities. It was in Florida that she began working for the IRS, which initiated a long career as a federal employee.
She went on to serve at the Department of Justice and later at the Executive Office of the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), where she found her niche and formed lasting friendships with deeply supportive colleagues.
Sandy retired from the government in 2008, and moved to Hilton Head, SC because she was happiest at the beach with the ocean breezes. Even though she was retired, she kept busy and volunteered her time at the Hilton Head Hospital greeting and transporting patients with her friendly demeanor and wonderful smile.
She and the family experienced heartache in 2009 when her daughter, Heidi passed away unexpectedly. This despair was soothed in the following years by the wedding of Sandy’s oldest daughter in 2011 and when she became a grandmother in 2012. Sandy then moved to the Richmond, VA area to be closer to family. Sandy loved spending time with her “grands” and saw them as often as she could. She loved attending their basketball games, birthdays, and other family events as Grandma Sandy! She impacted the Richmond area by volunteering with food pantries and delivered fruit to those in need. Sandy never met a beach or ocean she didn’t like and enjoyed going on cruises with friends whenever she could. Sandy was a devoted Buffalo Bills and Notre Dame football fan and had an impressive knowledge of college football. She inspired Melanie to be an avid recycler and to pay attention to politics and current events. She made friends wherever she was, people adored her. She was a shining light in so many people's lives.
When Heidi passed away unexpectedly, the family along with friends, planted a tree in remembrance of Heidi on the grounds of the Arlington County VA Animal Shelter. Her family is inquiring about planting a tree for Sandy right next to Heidi’s tree so they will always be together. Sandy loved visiting that tree knowing something beautiful was growing to honor Heidi’s memory.
In lieu of services and flowers, Sandy would appreciate donations being made to The Compassionate Friends Organization or The Sierra Club.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sandy Joan Toomey, please visit our flower store.
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