Sandra Lee "Sandy Pickard" Giarnella

Sandra (Sandy) Lee Giarnella, 78, of Middletown, passed away on the morning of February 4th, 2026, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut.

Sandy was a dame. She lived many lives and was always ready for adventure. She grew up in Perry, Ohio, and was the oldest daughter of Clair and Patricia (Brown) Pickard. For seven straight years, Sandy held a monopoly on spelling bee championships in Perry. After thoroughly dominating the spelling world in Perry, she moved on to college. It was during college that the adventure truly began. Sandy had always been the responsible one. She avoided trouble. She played by the rules. Something inside her changed, and Sandy broke bad.

She upended her life and left Ohio to study abroad in Pisa, Italy. In Pisa, she taught English to Italian Air Force Pilots and moonlighted as a DJ at an Italian discoteca. She spun records in what would become her signature style- a lacy dress. She later learned that her signature dress was actually a negligé, which may explain her committed fans.

On her first day in Italy, she thoroughly enchanted a young man studying to be a doctor. They spoke for four straight hours that day. He was smitten. The man proclaimed to Sandy he would one day marry her. After less than a month, that man, the future Dr. Ralph Giarnella, proposed to Sandy.

Sandy and Ralph would go on to marry in Pisa before returning to New Britain, Connecticut, to start their family. Raising four children, each more rambunctious than the one before, did not slow Sandy down. She was involved with the Junior League, volunteered with the USA national soccer team, helped run Doc's office, was a team mother for multiple sports teams simultaneously, a cyclist, a prolific cook, and a belly dancer. Somehow, in the midst of everything she did, she found time to earn her bachelor's degree in anthropology at Central Connecticut State University.

Sandy and Doc built a home full of laughter and warmth. They welcomed their children's friends with open arms and pounds of pasta. There was always room, whether it was for a night, a year, or a decade. Their home was the site of many joyful and raucous gatherings. It mattered little if it was a five-hour Thanksgiving dinner for eight or a whole house rager with a party in every room. It was always memorable when you partied at 530 Lincoln Street. Some of the moments her children will never forget were the family after-dinner dance parties. Sandy would move the kitchen table and crank up the Chuck Berry. The family would dance on the tile, the counters, and wherever their feet could find purchase.

Sandy brought joy in many different ways. She was a fixture on the sidelines of her children's soccer games. It was not uncommon to find her at one of her children's soccer games dressed up for Halloween and handing out candy to all in attendance, no matter who they rooted for. In one particular instance, and without announcing who she was, Sandy showed up in a full-length, three-headed, werewolf costume for one of Serena's high school soccer games. Only upon removing the werewolf head and revealing her sweat-soaked face did anyone realize it was her. Her costume collection was only rivaled by her array of cookbooks. For Sandy, cooking and baking were a way to show love and bring joy. She imbued her children with that very same love of spreading joy through baking and cooking.

Sandy did so much for so many yet very rarely thought of herself. Her joy was in bringing happiness to others. But when it was time for Sandy to take care of herself, all she asked for was a good book and uninterrupted time to read it. She was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. Give her a chair on the beach, a bag full of books, and a big ol' margarita, and she was a happy woman.

Sandy left an indelible mark on the world through her care, love, and joy. She was easy to laugh with and quick to console. Her presence will be missed, but her influence will continue on through her family, friends, and all the lives she touched. Who knows, maybe DJ Sando is back behind the turntables getting the angels on the dance floor. One thing her children are certain of is that Sandy is once again dancing with Doc.

Sandy leaves her children, Yvonne Giarnella (Frank Scirpo), Tanya (Ben) Helmen, Serena (Noah) Bliss, Ralph Giarnella, Jr.(Jessica Perry), and Jeff Mace; Sandy had so much love for all of her grandchildren, Caleb and Gabriel Helmen, Nick and Rogan Scirpo, and Makena and Scarlett Bliss. She also leaves her sisters, Kathy (Joe) Certo, Patty Scofield, and Holly (Earl) Rittenberry; her brother, Dennis (Pam) Pickard; her sisters-in-law, Kathy Jo Pickard and Lorraine Calegari, and her brothers-in-law, Tom (Sue) Giarnella and Andrew Giarnella; along with many nieces and nephews. Sandy's brother Tracy Pickard passed away in 2022.

Due to COVID-19 complications, the family was unable to hold a ceremony for Ralph (Doc) Giarnella at the time of his passing. The family will instead be holding a celebration of both Sandy and Ralph's lives at Plainville Funeral Home, 81 Broad Street, Plainville on February 13th, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. We do intend to party. Words of Remembrance Led by Life Celebrant Jesse Gnazzo will be shared at 2:30 p.m. The family asks that attendees honor Sandy and Ralph's wishes and come with a smile, come with a story, and come ready to laugh. What to wear? A little glitz and glamour would be lovely; Sandy loved the sparkles, but whatever makes you comfortable is welcome. Boas (feather, not constrictor) are highly encouraged. The staff at Plainville Funeral Home extends their gratitude to the Giarnella family for their trust. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.PlainvilleFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please share your memories and stories of Sandy and Doc with the family on the tribute wall or in person.