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SANDRA WRIGHT Obituary

WRIGHT--Sandra S. The family and friends of Sandra Wright are deeply saddened by her death on December 15 in McLean, Virginia, following a long and brave battle with cancer. Sandra was born in New York City and spent her young years in New York, Lima, and Havana. She was the daughter of Edward Wright, who was instrumental in developing the commercial airline industry, and the granddaughter of architect Augustus Shepard whose firm designed the New York Public Library and rode with the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Riders. Her uncle was Jerauld Wright, a Supreme Allied Commander for NATO and Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan). She was married to George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. in 1967 and then to Charles Houghton in 1988. A highly successful model who was featured on the pages and covers of prominent publications for over 20 years, Sandra is remembered for her devotion to the human spirit through her painting and sculpture, her love of all things living, and the warmth and support she brought to so many through a life devoted to individual and social change. She was a founder of the Friends of the Institute of Noetic Sciences and president of the BSW Foundation of New York, which researches and advocates principles of balance, spirit, wisdom, and the healing arts. She is survived by her two children, Winifred Ohrstrom Nichols and Wright R. S. Ohrstrom, two stepsons, and by five grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:30am on Monday, December 21st at Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Institute for Noetic Sciences or The Asian Scholar Fund.

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Published by New York Times on Dec. 18, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for SANDRA WRIGHT

16 Entries

Penelope Gay Shepard-Engler

December 12, 2023

From our young years i remember your visits to our house in Darien, Ct. with your mom, my Auntie Bea. My dad's sister. As we grew older you ventured into modeling and i went with the airlines. Though we lost touch I saved every magazine with your beautiful pictures. As time went on your mom kept us up to date with what you were doing and your new paths of giving and caring for our world and it's living things. You were an inspiration to many and are missed dearly.

JImmy ODonnell

January 6, 2010

I was Sandy's computer guy while she lived in New York City. She was such a pleasure to work with and I ways knew I was in the presence of a very special lady.
She had an amazing view of Central Park and we would gaze at the park as the sun cast shadows on the man made canyons and talk about our different lives. I alway think about her as a walk through the park. I am a better person because I knew her.

gracie oliphant

January 1, 2010

Dearest Sandy,
A part of my heart went with you, and the last link of the Shepard family,with which we shared such interesting and,joyful adventures together, on Pinoak Pond! I could hardly wait for you to come and play. You were so daring and and adventuresome. Mischief was our specialty, and freedom in the woods and streams of life! Sharing your witt, beauty, and diversity took me to the heights of fun and inspiration. Our talks filled my senses ! Time to play again Sandy! I know you are saoring with the angles of inspiration! Gracie Oliphant, Snowmass Village, Colorado

gracie oliphant

January 1, 2010

Stephen Bassett

December 21, 2009

Sandy was a friend, a mentor and a great source of positive energy and strength.

She was the largest supporter of the advocacy work of Paradigm Research Group. Much of PRG's efforts would not have been possible without her. For that reason she was presented the PRG Angel Award at X-Conference 2009.

Her kindness, class, thoughtful advice and generosity will be sorely missed.

Rose Welch

December 21, 2009

On behalf of the Institute of Noetic Sciences I hold you and your family in my prayers. It was a pleasure to know you and work with you on the board of IONS, you were a very special woman and will be missed by many!

Thank you for all that you did for IONS and my love and prayers for your family.

Rose Welch
Executive Assistant to the President
Board Liaison
Donor Relations Events

Glo & Win Perkins

December 21, 2009

Here we are, Sandy by my side just before Win’s and my wedding at The Wings Club. I could have never done it without her. As nervous as I was, momentarily losing the marriage license and my slip, she helped me stay the course. Happily, Win and I are celebrating our 29th anniversary this spring. Until we meet again, beautiful sister and soaring spirit.

Shepard Erhart

December 20, 2009

Thank you Sandy, for all that you offered me in our few connections, particularly the apple pie and the Solviva book. Sorry I turned down the pie (but we had a good laugh about it)and glad I acceptd the book, along with all your encouragement to build green. Thanks to you, worms are an integral part of my life.

I can hear your laughter as I wright that. I miss your good humor, optimism and go-for-it attitude. Sitting here at the kitchen table this snowy evening, I'm senseing you not so far away, quietly blessing the house you inspired. Thank you.

Diane O'Callaghan

December 20, 2009

Sandy, you have shifted into the omniverse, and in that context you are still with us. I will remember that; and the joyful, thoughtful, connected way you lived as you wove yourself into the web of our lives. Bless you, Beautiful Lady!

Randy Nickerson

December 20, 2009

Sandy, So strong your spirit and vigor. Your heart will be missed. Your vision will carry on to bless other souls. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being a beacon and a friend. May we meet again. Randy Nickerson

Sandy & Sergio in Petra, Jordan - 1997

Sergio Lub

December 19, 2009

Dearest Sandy,

We are missing you down here already but, knowing you, you must be enjoying your new freedom and must be off to your next venture helping make good things happen, just like you kept doing while in your Earth suit.

Through your actions, you taught us that what makes life meaningful is not its length – just ask any old prisoner – but the intensity of our relations, the passion of our convictions and the deep joy of helping good people.

You knew that our accomplishments are not measured by stuff, but by how much beauty we created and by how we helped new life develop into free adventurous spirits, including our own.

By this measure you have packed many lifetimes of experiences in your intensely lived years. You have done what you came here to do, lesson learned and now to tackle the next challenge.

Not surprisingly you are ahead of most of us, a pioneer among boomers exploring the Great Mystery. Please find a way to let us know. How much fun it is to be body-free?

Can you really be everywhere at once? What new ways do you have to communicate? Are all those memories of you I had all week your new way of saying hello?

Come to think of it, these replaying of scenes of you in my head could be your subtle way to keep influencing outcomes. Do I need inspiration today? Let’s remember Sandy!

Love you, Sergio

Mary Phillips

December 19, 2009

Rarely one meets a person so unlimited in thinking, so inclined to the aesthetic, so generous of heart, and so sparkling in wit. Those of us who have had this opportunity are enlightened, enriched and deeply grateful to have shared time and space with her.

She continues to influence broader education and cross-cultural research through her support of our Asian Scholar Fund.

Heide Wessels

December 19, 2009

i knew Sandra through the X-Conference and we all will miss her.

Rebecca Hardcastle

December 19, 2009

As Sandy's spirit unfurls her friends once again pause in amazement as she opens passages of light and love to this precious planet and its people. Your beauty and energy remain with us.
Rebecca

Terri Mansfield

December 19, 2009

Sandy and I shared many heart connections: IONS, Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Dr. Suzanne Mendelssohn, Vilcabamba in Ecuador, the X-Conference in Baltimore, the creation of a cabinet level U.S. Department of Peace. She was always so gracious to me; in my last communication with her just weeks ago, her first question to me was to ask how was my daughter's recent wedding in Kauai. I am grateful for calls from her daughter Wea and son-in-law Dan.
I am blessed to have known and hugged Sandy during these last few years of her life.

Ann Hoopes

December 18, 2009

Sandra was such an unusual and beautiful person who will be remembered by all her friends and family as a rare and special entitity on the planet. We, who were fortunate to know her will always be grateful to have had the opportunity to share time with her

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