Sandra (Bernard) Card

After a long and courageous struggle with Leukemia, Sandra “Sandy” Joyce Card, age 73, of Mansfield, CT passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City. Born on February 4, 1944, in Willimantic, CT to Ernest and Antoinette (Gaucher) Bernard, she was the youngest of three girls.

Sandy attended and graduated from St. Mary’s School in Willimantic and then graduated from Windham High School in the spring of 1962. During high school her first job was performing secretarial work at Leonard Motors. This would be the start of what would become a long and successful career as a driven, detail-oriented secretary then Executive Assistant.

Sandy married in June of 1963 and in the summer of 1964, she gave birth to her daughter (Kellie A. Lowry) then in 1967 to her son (David E. Barlow). During her children’s early year’s she was initially a stay-at-home mom. Then, after holding various part-time jobs in the food service industry (and the divorce from her first husband) she was committed to establishing a career that gave her and her two children their independence. She decided to focus on developing her initial secretarial experience which led her to executive assistant positions for senior-level and Chief Executive Officers at companies including the Akim Company, University of Connecticut, James E. Duffy Company, Travelers and Citigroup.

Throughout her life Sandy was a constant presence, providing a supportive and loving environment for friends and family. She befriended many in need providing care and guidance in a truly altruistic manner. A highlight of her later years was spending time with her beloved grandchildren whether it be attending sporting events, helping with homework or providing sage advice. She was involved in many organizations throughout her life including the League of Women’s Voters in the 1970’s and the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery in the early 2000’s. She cared deeply about the feelings of those she encountered and was compelled by a sense of fairness and empathy.

In June of 2001 Sandy married Richard “Dick” L. Card. They established their home in Mansfield, CT. Dick shared her sense of caring and empathy. He was deeply committed to her and cared for her tirelessly throughout her battle with Leukemia never missing a day by her side.

Sandy was predeceased by her parents Ernest and Antoinette Bernard, her beloved sister Pauline Daigle and her former mother-in-law and dear friend Mary Mazzola. She is survived by her husband, Richard L. Card, her daughter Kellie Lowry of Springfield, MA, her son David E. Barlow and her daughter-in-law Suzanne Barlow of Harwinton, CT, her sister Lucille B. Wisted and brother-in-law John Wisted of Manchester CT, stepdaughter Darcy Baldridge and stepson-in-law Eric Baldridge of Mansfield, CT; 9 grandchildren, Richard Colwell and Alex London of Springfield, MA, Devyn Lowry of Mansfield, CT, Sophia and Colin Barlow of Harwinton, CT, Hannah, Avery, Emma and Max Baldridge of Mansfield, CT. She also leaves behind two nieces, Lori Drew of Chelmsford, MA and Tracy Patrick of Acton, MA;

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Sandra Joyce Card, American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Monday, January 8, 2018 at 10:30am, St. Mary Church, 46 Valley St., Willimantic, CT 06226, with reception to follow. To sign the online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com

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