Sandra Dean Anderson

Sandra Dean Anderson was reunited with her beloved husband on December 15, 2024. Sandy was born on September 2, 1935 to Herman and Mildred Dillon Dean. She attended Southside High School and Miss Beardsley's Business School and worked for the phone company and a local bank. She met the love of her life, John Anderson, when he returned home from serving in the Korean War and their sisters set them up on a blind date. They were married a few months later on April 8, 1955 and lived 69 very happy years together until Sandy's beloved "Johnnycakes" passed first, on October 17, 2024. Just as he rarely left her side during their life together, John returned for Sandy not two months after his passing.
When she was just 24, Sandy contracted polio and never fully recovered. In spite of her health issues she never complained and never stopped caring for her family - she was famous for her baked goods and candies and for her beautiful hand sewn Halloween costumes and dresses for her daughter and her daughter's dolls. Sandy was also known for her great Irish wit. She and John loved to socialize and had many lifelong friends. Sandy worked alongside John at The Shopper until their retirement. They spent many happy winters in Florida and summers at their cottage on Waneta Lake. But most of all, they enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Sandy is survived by her son Larry of Scottsdale AZ; daughter Heather Scherb and her children Kristen (BeccaJo) of Somerville MA, Alex (Mary) of Brooklyn NY and Rob (Gabriella) of Manhattan NY; sister-in-laws Reggie Dean and Kim Dean; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friends Floyd and Patty Vlajic. Sandy was predeceased by her husband; her parents; her brothers Edward and Richard Dean; her sister and brother-in-law Linda and Patsy Cornacchio; her brother-in-laws and their spouses C.W. Jr Anderson (Winnie Nicholson), Edward Anderson (Jean), Robert Anderson (Dee); sister-in-laws and their spouses Elaine Anderson (Archie) Cornell, Carol Anderson (Jim) Feldmann, and Joanie Anderson; her niece Karen Dean; her nephews Tim Dean and Christopher Cornacchio; and her grand-nephews Michael Cornacchio and Jeffrey Turner.
Sandy was a devoted daughter, doting wife, loving mother and proud grandmother. She will be forever loved and missed. Memorial service arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements by Olthof Funeral Home. Those wishing may remember Sandy with a donation to either the Elmira Community Kitchen, 215 E Church St., Elmira NY 14901, or CareFirst NY. The family would like to thank the nurses and entire staff of 3B at Arnot Hospital for their kind and compassionate care of Sandy.