Sandra Elaine Smith Stoddert

1942 - 2018

Sandra Elaine Smith Stoddert

Fairfax VA - The story of Sandy Stoddert, aged 76, reached "The End" on October 6, 2018.

Born Sandra Elaine Smith on March 12, 1942, for a quarter-century Sandy was the Media Center Director and librarian at Chamberlin Elementary School in South Burlington, VT, from 1980 to 2006. She loved children's books, especially those by her favorite author, Beatrix Potter, and her favorite character was Peter Rabbit, as anyone spotting her "PTRABIT" license plate could see. Sandy cared deeply for children's literacy, and was the first to bring computers into the library for students to use. She placed an old claw-foot tub by the checkout desk, filled it with pillows and blankets, and students could use "the reading tub" all day. Sandy's tub became the inspiration for thereadingtub.org, a national children's literacy website.

In addition to her family, Sandy loved history, government and politics, Barry Manilow's music, scrapbooking and card-making, cooking family dinners, and her pets (Martin, KC, Sam, Kep, and Simpkin). She served as President of the Champlain Valley League of Women Voters, as President of the South Burlington Educators' Association, and as one of the founders of The Other Paper, a newspaper in South Burlington, VT.

Sandy was born in Easton, PA, and was a 1960 graduate of Wilson Boro (PA) High School, a 1964 graduate of Bloomsburg University, and a 1967 graduate of Lehigh University (M.Ed). She had two marriages, to Donald Dale Kleppinger, and Dorwin Stoddert, both of whom predeceased her. She was the proud mother of Eric and Deborah Kleppinger and stepmother to Joel and Jennifer Stoddert, and was proud to have kept the family together after Dorwin's unexpected passing in 1987.

Survivors include her son Eric and wife Mary Kleppinger of Fairfax Station, VA; daughter Deborah Kleppinger of Williston, VT; stepson Joel and wife Aprile Stoddert of Lyndon Center, VT; and stepdaughter Jennifer Stoddert of Shelburne, VT; grandchildren Courtney Palmer of Williston, VT; David and Sarah Kleppinger of Fairfax Station, VA; beloved brother Rodney and wife Tina Smith of Saylorsburg, PA, nephew Kevin Smith of Danielsville, PA, and niece Dawn Brensinger of Slatington, PA. Her parents, Harry J. and Agnes H. K. Smith of Easton, PA, preceded her in death.

In 1985, Sandy was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and she battled courageously against it for 33 years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation (www.parkinson.org) in her memory.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield, VA, on November 10, 2018, at 11 o'clock, and again in spring 2019 in South Burlington, VT. All are welcome to come and remember Sandy warmly.