Sandra S. Lenthall

Sandra S. Lenthall, of Williamsburg, VA, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023, in Rockville, MD, at the age of 86. She is survived by her children, Jonathan, Gregory and Allison Lenthall, her siblings Paul Shogren and Bucky Poppleton, and her grandson, Tanner Lenthall. Sandy spent her childhood riding the streetcars in Pittsburgh, PA to attend art classes at Carnegie Mellon. She met the love of her life, Ron, at Penn State University, where she studied to be a social worker. While being a house mother at the University of Pittsburgh, she helped families adopt children and expand the amount of love there is in this world. Ron and Sandy spent many years on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she was an avid volunteer with the Doctors' Wives group, Ducks Unlimited, and the Episcopal church. Sandy and Ron were often found sailing and crabbing, and they helped with the area's osprey restoration. The Lenthall family moved to Indiana then returned to the East Coast, where Sandy served on the Williamsburg City Human Services Board, was a long-time member of Bruton Parish Church, tutored first graders at Matthew Whaley, and read to the blind through a local NPR station program. A turning point in Sandy's life was when she ventured out alone with a 35-pound backpack to walk 200 miles on the Camino de Santiago. Four journeys later, including one completed over her 70th birthday, Sandy helped form the American Pilgrims on the Camino so that she could share the experience of pilgrimage that she cherished so deeply. Since the first Williamsburg Gathering of Pilgrims in 1998, American Pilgrims has grown into a national organization with thousands of members and a Facebook following of over 37,000. In 2003, Sandy and Joy Brady published their book Conversations with Remarkable Women, where they highlighted the stories of pioneering, courageous women. The chapter that was left unwritten was her own story. She was a remarkable woman. Known to all for her positivity, huge smile and big heart, and of course the white Tilley hat walking up and down Duke of Gloucester St. in Colonial Williamsburg, Sandy was adventurous and compassionate. She cared about the rights and dignity of others. She was an exemplary wife and the best mom in the whole world. She will be sorely missed and her legacy will live on. A service will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at noon at Bruton Parish in Williamsburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, please donate to WHRO (whro.org) or Williamsburg Faith in Action (wfia.org).