Sandra L. Hayman

Memories of Sandra Lewis "Sandy" Hayman
Thomas R. Mulconry

In the early morning hours of Friday, April 5, 2024, my lifelong friend Leonard Mark "Lenny" Sneierson, telephonically texted my wife and I, and sadly informed us that his beloved partner for over 30 years, Ms. Sandra L. "Sandy" Hayman, had passed away quietly in her sleep just an hour or so before. Although it was news I had been expecting, it was shocking to hear, nevertheless.
Lenny had contacted me about two weeks before to say that Sandy had been admitted the William W. Backus Hospital in our hometown of Norwich, CT, with pneumonia, was on a respirator and in a drug induced coma. Following that news I had been in telephone contact with Lenny at least every other day to check on Sandy´s prognosis. Sandy subsequently improved and was scheduled to be released to a rehabilitation facility. One week prior to her demise I spoke to Sandy telephonically for a few minutes. She seemed in good spirits and was looking forward to eventually going back home. Unfortunately, that was not to be as Sandy took a turn for the worse and was not able to recover. We, Sandy´s friends, took her passing quite hard as she was a dear and loving person. Permit me to pass on some of my memories of her.
As I understand, Sandra Lewis Hayman, known to all her friends as "Sandy", was the daughter of Mr. Reggie Lewis and Mrs. Celia Lewis Abugel Pobol. Sandy was a longtime resident of Norwich. For several decades Sandy worked in the medical field. Following high school, Sandy became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), who in 1971, had graduated from the William W. Backus Hospital Nursing School. For well over 20 years, Sandy worked at the prestigious Uncas on the Thames Sanatorium in Norwich, until its close in 1995. Sandy worked hard bringing comfort to her many critically ill patients, which was often rewarding for her. The nursing profession was not always easy for her. Sandy mentioned to me that while working in the Uncas on the Thames facility and helping to lift a large patient, she had injured her back; something that was to be bothersome for her for the remainder of her life.
For over 20 years Sandy was married to Mr. Gary Hayman, who following an illness had predeceased her over 30 years ago. A couple of years following Mr. Hayman´s passing, she met and subsequently fell in love with my friend Lenny Sneierson. For over 30 years Sandy and Lenny were an item. They enjoyed each other´s company, traveled about, engaged in antiquing, visited auctions, and dined alone or with friends in various locations. Sandy and Lenny also shared a love for animals, particularly dogs and cats. Due to the love Sandy and Lenny bestowed upon their pets they well extended their animal´s natural life expectancy.
Sandy was quite an intelligent woman who was able to speak well on a variety of subjects, as in addition to her education she was quite well read. I enjoyed engaging her in conversation. Sandy was also a woman of good moral quality and could be considered a positive role model for many. Sandy also had a most wonderful sense of humor, and her infectious laugh still echoes in my memories. Sandy was a caring person and would often be the first in line to assist someone if it was in her power to do so.
In addition to her beloved Lenny, her lovely niece Laura, her loyal flat coated retriever Nick, and her inquisitive cat Lydia, Sandy leaves behind many two-legged friends, and a myriad of four-legged acquaintances in her wake and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
In deepest sympathy,
Thomas and Alice Mulconry
Battle Creek, MI