Obituary of Patricia Spellman Sandiford

Patricia Spellman Sandiford, 94, of Binghamton, passed away peacefully at home on May 10, 2016 after a long struggle with progressive dementia. She was born October 23, 1921 in Glens Falls NY, the youngest of three daughters of Patrick and Julia Looby Spellman. Patricia graduated from St. Mary's Academy, Glens Falls, and Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY. After college, Patricia worked as a journalist for the Glens Falls Post Star. She relocated to Washington DC and in 1948 married George Sandiford. Their family grew while living in Washington, Massena NY, Richmond, and Baltimore, before settling in Binghamton in 1966. While raising her family, Patricia was a steady volunteer at school functions. She also served over 25 years as a Meals on Wheels volunteer and with the Auxiliary of Binghamton General Hospital, and was on the board of the Family & Children's Society of Binghamton. She was a member of the Rosary Altar Society of St. Thomas Church, Binghamton. Patricia was predeceased by her husband George in 1992, her sisters Rita in 1948 and Mary in 2010, and her son Michael in 2015. She is survived by daughters Julie (Tom) Helms, Laurie (John Hlavaty), Mary Ann (Anthony Day), and Elizabeth (Leo) O'Connor; sons Peter, David, James (Caroline Hanover), William (Victoria), and Daniel; daughter-in-law Alexis (Michael Sandiford); grandchildren Tommy (Robin), Andrew (Nicole), and Tim Helms, Peter Day, Syana and Rhiannon Sandiford, David Sandiford, Leo (Erin), Julia, and Nora O'Connor, and Emmett and Henry Sandiford; and great-grandchildren Helena, Ian, and Emily Helms, Elizabeth Helms, and Ava and Lincoln O'Connor. Patricia will be remembered by her family and friends for her kindness and quiet wit, her deep faith, and unwavering strength of character. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday May 13 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Highland Avenue, Binghamton NY. Calling hours will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday at St. Thomas Church, immediately preceding Mass. Burial will take place on Sunday May 15 at 1 p.m. at the Long Lake, NY Cemetery. Arrangements are handled by J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, Binghamton. The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the many helpers and who provided compassionate care and friendship to our mother throughout her illness. Expressions of sympathy in Patricia's memory may be made to Sandiford Rehabilitation Center at Binghamton General Hospital or to Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, 7 Livingston St., Binghamton, 13903.