Sandra Willey

Sandra Geer Willey, 90, of Essex Junction, VT, passed away surrounded by loving family at McClure Miller Respite House on August 12, 2025.

Sandy was born to Northrup and Elizabeth (Duffield) Geer in Hempstead, NY, on January 31st, 1935. They were kind and loving parents who molded Sandy into the loving woman she grew up to be for so many. Sandy grew up in Hempstead and later East Williston NY with her parents and siblings, John & Debbie. Their house was a loving and welcoming home, often with family or friends who were in need of a home or a helping hand. Sandy emulated this with her home on the Willey Farm as many were welcomed during times of need.

Sandy graduated from Roslyn High School before majoring in English at the University of Vermont. After many years of doing the most important job there is, to be a full-time mother, Sandy became the Assistant Librarian at Essex Junction High School for 10 years from 1979 to 1989. She was loved by the students and staff and she greatly enjoyed her time there.

Sandy met her loving husband, Robert in 1952 while attending UVM. He a sigma-nu fraternity member and she a Tri Delta sorority member. They met in the cafeteria and it was love at first sight.

Sandy and Bob were married for 70 years and lived a long and happy life together on the Willey Farm in Essex Junction, rearing their four children: Kimberly Willey (deceased), Giles Willey, Laura Valley (Tom), and Kate Mitchell (Greg[deceased]). In 1974, their daughter Kim died, and this tragedy was life-changing for the whole Willey family. With Bob and Sandy's guidance, the family survived, and Kim's legacy of love, and family unity lives on in all of us.

Being a grandmother was one of Sandy's biggest joys. When Bob and son Giles started Vermont Systems, Inc. in the mid-80s, two of their daughters, Laurie and Kate, joined just a few months later. Sandy decided her biggest joy would be to become the VSI family daycare, and so for different time periods she lovingly watched as many as up to 5 of her grandkids at a time. She could be seen walking all over Essex Junction with her triple stroller, with the kids outfitted in the many sweaters she knit for them in her "free" time. She loved each of her grandchildren so very much. Jordan & Taylor Willey, Jessica (Kyle) Damon, David Valley, Jack (Shannon Murtha) Valley, Josh (Jen Cook) Mitchell, and Ryan (Micaela) Mitchell are all blessed to have memories of a kind and loving "Nanny". Not only were they blessed, but so were many of their friends who were fed her legendary cookies and sandwiches "made with love" over the years. Sandy often said this was one of her greatest joys.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren; Wesley, Jonathan, and Bennett Valley, Avery Mitchell and Tyler Damon

Sandy loved gardening, VT & National senior games (tennis and running), St. James Vestry & Choir & Memorial Gardens, Colchester Community Chorus, knitting, line calling at USTA men's tennis in Stowe in the 80's and designing & maintaining (with two of her grandsons) the Essex Jct Five Corners gardens.

Sandy will always be remembered for her caring and giving spirit. She was a mother and Nanny to not only her family, but to others whom she cherished -just as she was cherished in return.

Sandy was predeceased in death by her parents, Northrup and Elizabeth, her brother John Geer, sister Debbie Vojt, daughter Kim, and son-in-law Greg.

The family wishes to thank Home Care Assistance, UVMMC Home Health & Hospice (both in-home and The McClure-Miller Respite house staff) & Palliative Care team, UVMMC Baird 3 and Birchwood Manor Memory Care for their amazing care and compassion during Sandy's final months and days.

Per Sandy's wishes, there will be no public visiting hours. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday August 26, 2025, 11am, at St James Episcopal Church in Essex Junction, with a reception following at the Farmhouse at Sunset Pond, the Essex Resort & Spa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to UVM Health Network Home Health & Hospice, 1110 Prim Rd., Colchester VT 05446 or online at uvmhomehealth.org/give

If unable to attend in person, the service will be on Zoom as well. Please visit stjamesvt.org Worship page for the link