Sandra Benotti

1946 - 2021

Sandra M. (Squillacote) Benotti

NORTHBOROUGH -

Sandra Marilyn (Squillacote) Benotti, 74, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 1, 2021, surrounded by her loving family after a lengthy battle with cancer. A longtime resident of Northborough, Sandra was the devoted wife of 47 years to Joseph R. Benotti, MD and a beloved mother to her four children.

Sandra was born on September 7, 1946 in New Britain, Connecticut, daughter to the late Vincent J. Squillacote, MD and Margaret C. (Bongiovanni) Squillacote. After graduating from Mary Immaculate Academy in 1964, Sandra earned her RN from the New Britain General Hospital School of Nursing in 1968. She then moved to Boston, and while working as a staff and private duty nurse at the Peter Bent Brigham and Massachusetts General Hospitals, she completed her BA in Psychology from Suffolk University in 1972. She continued to work nights and weekends while earning her MS in Psychiatric Nursing from Boston University's Graduate School of Nursing in 1974. From 1973–1978, she worked as a clinical coordinator at Mount Auburn Hospital and a clinical nursing instructor at the Boston College School of Nursing. While drawing medications for her patients, she met her true love, Joseph Benotti, then a third-year medical student, and they were married on February 7, 1974. In 1979, they moved to Northborough where they raised their family.

Sandra's nurturing, caring and thoughtful ways were evident in both her work as a nurse and a loving mother, always putting others' needs first. Sandra was devoted to her family and took pride in caring for them. She enjoyed cooking treasured family recipes, raising four wonderful children (and several difficult dachshunds) and having her loved ones all together, no matter the occasion. She was a real 'doer', and could 'get things done' with unbelievable efficiency and ease, always willing and ready to help. She was a true matriarch that led with conviction and grace yet laughed along with her family's humor. Sandra was a longtime active member of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Northborough and a volunteer at the Northborough Food Pantry. She enjoyed summering with her family on Nantucket and taking early morning walks along Surfside Beach while capturing the beautiful sunrises over the ocean. Sandra was a woman of elegance and simplicity.

In addition to her husband Joseph, Sandra is survived by her four children: Mark Benotti and his wife Julie of Duxbury; Johanna Benotti and her husband Michael Lafleur of Melrose; Andrew Benotti of Northborough; and Emily Benotti and her husband Jason Lowell of Jamaica Plain. She also leaves her four grandchildren, all whom she adored: Gian Marco, Vincent, Francesca and Aiden. Sandra was preceded in death by a brother, Richard V. Squillacote, a sister, Joan S. Chevalier, and Joan's husband, Maurice.

Calling hours will be held from 4-7pm at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough on Tuesday, April 6. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Wednesday, April 7, at Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough. Burial will follow in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough. All services will follow current COVID-19 guidelines. Masks are required and social distancing will be observed, please plan accordingly.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Sandra's name to: The Pancreas and Liver Cancer Fund, c/o Keith Stuart, MD, Division of Oncology, Lahey Clinic Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805.

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