Jean Ruth Sandford

Jean Sandford, 94

September 15, 1929 – August 23, 2024

Jean Ruth (Anderson) Sandford was lovingly cared for at home in New Boston, NH and went peacefully home to be with Jesus. Jean was born in Ashland, Massachusetts, the youngest of five children of Stephen and Hope (Kelsey) Anderson. She later moved to Maine where she went to 2nd-6th grade in a one room schoolhouse and graduated from Brunswick High School in 1947. Jean married Leonard Sandford and they had five children: Patricia, Dianne, a son Dana, Roxanne, and Heidi. She also love-adopted Lisa Boisvert and Marion Newton. We all considered Mom one of our best friends. Others considered her a second mother and called her Mom.

When her children were young, Jean was a house mother at a Bible School and later worked on the church-owned farm. They had beef and milk cows, chickens, and large gardens. The children enjoyed playing in the barn. After her youngest child graduated from high school, Jean worked for Easter Seals where she drove a wheelchair van. She retired from this job at age 79!

Jean was exceptional in her forgiving and welcoming spirit. She loved unconditionally and opened her door to others when there was a need. Jesus was the center of her home and her life. She was an active member of her church, Chestnut Hill Chapel, and loved to worship with her family. She was frequently observed reading her Bible and if someone had a concern, Jean would often pray for them on the spot. She had a calming nature and was a peacemaker. She loved flowers and birds, especially cardinals, and she also loved her cat, Princess, who was a great companion to her in her later years.

Jean was predeceased by her parents, her siblings Phil, Esther, and Bert, her husband Leonard, her children Patricia and Dana, and her grandson Nathan. She is survived by her brother Paul and her daughters and sons-in-law: Dianne, Roxanne and husband Ronald Nilsson, Heidi and husband Rod Dukelow, Richard Parker and wife Bonnie, Lisa Boisvert and fiancé Mark Richard, and Marion and husband Jerry Newton; her grandchildren: Dana and wife Katy, Matt, Marie, Adam and wife Courtney, Krista and husband Anthony, Jake and wife Hannah, Walker, Lorynn, Devon and wife Althea, Kyle, Hannah, Lily, Erica, and Amelia; and her great-grandchildren: Hunter, Lucas and fiancé Angelina, Jack, Jaedan, Savannah, Bella, and Zoey.

Jean’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday the 31st of August at 11:00 am at Chestnut Hill Chapel in New Boston, NH.