Sandra L. Bissonette

Sandra Bissonette, a lifelong resident of Burlington, passed away peacefully at the UVM Medical Center on October 4, 2025, with her niece by her side after a valiant battle with cancer.
Sandy was born in Burlington, VT, to Ralph and Dolores (Sullivan) Bissonette on September 29, 1946. She attended Cathedral Grammar School and completed her education at Burlington High School. In her late teens and early twenties, Sandy shared a meaningful relationship with John Hine, whose memory she kept with her long after his passing in 1968.
Sandy worked for the Grand Union Company starting in 1973. She continued to work for Grand Union until their acquisition by Shaw's. Sandy started out working in HBC and at the front desk at Grand Union and eventually became a receiver at Shaw's. Being a receiver was a job Sandy enjoyed the most. She made friendships through the years at Grand Union and Shaw's that she cherished throughout her life.
Anyone who knew Sandy knew she was a dog person. She had a love for all dogs, but golden retrievers had a special place in her heart. Sandy had many goldens over the years, and each one was as loved and spoiled as the next. Her love for dogs was the reason that she and her brother Guy helped to start the Starr Farm Dog Park in Burlington. Next to goldens, the biggest part of Sandy's heart was her family. There was nothing Sandy enjoyed more than hosting family gatherings, whether they were birthdays, graduations, summer get-togethers, or family Christmases. Family meant everything to Sandy.
Sandy was an active member of Saint Mark's Church. Her faith was important to her, and she showed up for her church community by serving dinners at the Salvation Army and helping at many church functions. Sandy was a strong, kind-hearted woman who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Sandy is survived by her brothers, Ralph and Tim Bissonette, sister-in-law and friend Donna Bissonette, brother-in-law and friend Robert Chernoff, sister-in-law Sue Brown, special nieces and nephews Maureen Bissonette and her children Asia Bissonette and Elijah Bissonette, Emily (Bissonette) Culver, Laurie (Bissonette) Reilly, and Joe and Tina Bissonette, as well as many other nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She also leaves behind close friends Lisa Tillotson, Sue Mason, Betty Kaumeyer, Judy Clark, and Julie Greenia. Sandy was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Dolores Bissonette; her siblings Thomas Bissonette, Joseph Bissonette, Margaret Bissonette, Kathleen Chernoff, and William Bissonette; and her brother-in-law Thomas Ryan.
Sandy's family would like to thank all of the doctors, RN's, LNA's, and staff that cared for her at UVM oncology and Baird 4. Special thanks to Dr. Ein-Gal, Jaime-Lynn Gessner, RN, and Megan Eddy, RN, for their kindness, care, and support.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 16th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark's Church, 1251 North Avenue, Burlington. Interment will follow in New Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place at Sandy's home after the burial. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Sandy's name can be made to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue (YGRR) or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are in the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services.