Sandra Garand

Sandra Jane Garand, lovingly known as "Mammie" to her family, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was 84 years old and resided in Rochester, New Hampshire. Sandra was born on January 8, 1940, in Marshfield, Vermont, to Kathryn Elizabeth (Lapan) Hartson and Delmar Clinton Hartson. The youngest of three children, she was predeceased by her brother, Ray Edward Hartson, and is survived by her sister, Sylvia Ann Stevens.

Sandra's life was marked by resilience and devotion to her family. After graduating high school, she dedicated herself to raising her children and creating a loving home. In the 1970s, alongside her husband William Garand, she owned and operated a Dunkin' Donuts shop on Lafayette Road in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Later in life, she worked at Seacoast Mental Health Center and JPac in Somersworth, New Hampshire. She found great pride in her work, and her ability to provide for her family.

Sandra married Ezra John Miles and had two sons: Douglas John Miles and Ricky Lee Miles. After their divorce, she met and married William Andre Garand. Together they had three children: Cheryl Ann Garand-Willey, Nathan David Garand, and Andrea Marie Garand. She was predeceased by her eldest son Douglas and youngest daughter Andrea.

Her family was her greatest source of Joy and her grandchildren were very dear to her. They are Justin Corey Garand, Sandra Beth (Miles) Hickenbottom, Christian Daniel Miles, Paige Lebeau (Miles) Sulloway, and Reese Hartson Miles.

Sandra had a deep love for music and nature. In her youth, she played guitar and sang with a family band in Vermont. Her passion for gardening brought her immense joy; her garden flourished with bleeding hearts, sweet william, rose of sharon, and lilacs-her favorite flowers. She cherished trips to Wentworth Greenhouses and found inspiration in every sunrise. A woman of faith and reflection, Sandra began each day in quiet meditation and found comfort in her belief that Heaven is real.

A celebration of Sandra's life will be planned for the spring. May her memory bring peace and comfort to all who knew and loved her.