Sandra D Selvig

The world has lost a kind, compassionate, generous and multi talented individual with the unexpected passing of Sandra Selvig. Sandy's life was full, with every person she touched along the way better for having met her.

Growing up in Westfield, NJ, Sandy was privileged to spend her teen years riding with the Watchung Troop, eventually acquiring her own horse, Rusty, and winning show ribbons. After graduation from Westfield High School, her family moved to Tewksbury and added a second horse, Dobie. There she enjoyed riding the local trails often accompanied by her mother or sister and later in life she spent many happy hours on her Western horse Comanche while living briefly in Maine, her favorite place on earth. Sandy’s advanced education continued when she attended Arizona State University and she completed her studies with a degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Working in her father's business, SelvigCo Inc., as bookkeeper and assisting with  gage repair, Sandy later become certified as a special education teacher. Along the way she published three poetry booklets earning acclaim and awards as well as continuing to hone her exceptional photography skills. After marriage Sandy’s priority was raising her three precious children and subsequently applying her comprehensive empathy to educational positions as a much loved teacher. Additionally, she developed expertise in various crafts which ultimately brought more awards for her creations and photographs.

Sandy loved listening to music from the 60’s and 70’s, also exhibiting her musical prowess by making bamboo flutes. Recently her focus was incorporating her handmade beads, metal and leather into unique jewelry pieces often reflecting pride in her Norwegian heritage. But her greatest joy was being able to help with care and guidance for her granddaughter. Sandy’s face lit up whenever she spoke of her family and showed her desire to be an agent of comfort and support and we greatly long for her presence.

She is predeceased by her revered parents Robert and Charlotte, her idolized brother Bobby, and two beloved poodles, Angel and Amber. She leaves behind her adored children, Jennifer, John, and Allison, as well as two cherished grandchildren, Dylan and Sofia. Her sister Kris greatly misses her best friend and regular companion on their frequent "walk ’n' talks". The hole in our hearts will never heal but we will speak of Sandy lovingly and we will try to live our lives to reflect her great compassion and generosity.

If you wish to honor Sandy’s memory, a donation to the American Heart Association or to Mane Stream (manestreamnj.org) which provides adaptive riding and therapy services would be appreciated.