Sandra H. Conover Obituary (1937

Sandra Jeanne (Hall) Conover, 73, a native of Hamilton Square, NJ, and longtime resident of Chelmsford, MA, passed away on July 20, 2011. Sandra was a woman of many contrasts. Her small stature concealed a core of indomitable inner strength and an iron will. Thriving in adversity with stubborn determination was her specialty, and she was unafraid of a good challenge. Sandra was born with a strong and unique sense of humor that entertained friends and sustained family for many decades. She graduated from Beaver College in 1959 with a degree in Education. As a teacher, she guided many children to a lifelong love of reading. Her specialty was tutoring those who needed a little extra help on the road to phonics. Sandra enjoyed the many years she spent working in the Lowell and Chelmsford schools systems, and took great pride in her work at the Masonic Reading Center in Lexington, Massachusetts. Her passion for genealogy and history was contagious, and she became a card-carrying member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Growing up during the Great Depression, she taught all of her children the importance of frugality. Spending money was not a bad thing, but wasting money on frivolous things irritated her. Despite those convictions, she'd still occasionally let family treat her to a fancy coffee drink at Starbucks. Little luxuries brought her great joy - she especially loved being taken out to restaurants. It didn't matter whether it was at a small diner or a four-star feast. "I love anything anyone else cooks." she would claim. Being spoiled like that suited her -- she especially adored being upgraded to first class on a flight, or when her children would take her on trips. Her curiosity about the world knew no bounds. Gaining a new stamp in her passport was an important moment for her - it was full of stamps from her recent travels to England, France, Spain, and Canada. She loved taking day trips to museums with her children. Almost everywhere she went, she brought her huge handbag. Her purse seemed bottomless, bigger than life, always containing what might be needed at any given moment. Kleenex, wet naps, aspirin, water - she was always a few steps ahead of what others might need. She always put other people's needs before her own. She loved solving problems for others to help improve their lives. An early riser, she was out of bed at the first light of dawn, working in her yard, wearing her favorite floppy sun hat. In her garden, she grew remarkable zinnias and marigolds in the rocky soil of her Chelmsford home. She would show her off latest gardening successes to visitors with great joy. Many evenings, often she would watch TV late into the night, and Mystery! held a special place in her heart. Staying up late for the latest television adaptation of a Jane Austen novel was something she would always look forward to. She was kind, always helping others to thrive. No amount of distance could keep her from caring for her family. She embraced email with enthusiasm, checking in on her family near and far each week. Sandra constantly cheered on her children to achieve great things in their lives, and her faith in their ability to accomplish their dreams was unwavering. She despised the long winters in New England, and hated dealing with the heavy snow. She spoke fondly of her years growing up in the milder climate of New Jersey. Sandra was a woman of great gentleness, taking in homeless pets and giving them an excellent home full of love and affection. She married Harry Conover on July 11,1959. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her three children (Susan Maza, Laura Conover, and Robert Conover) and one grandchild, Edward Conover. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 6 to 9 P.M. at the Blake Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. Funeral Services will be held privately. While Sandra loved flowers, please consider a donation to a no-kill animal shelter in her memory. A list of a few such local organizations follows below: Buddy Dog Humane Society, 151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776 http://www.buddydoghs.com/Kitty Angels, Inc. P.O. Box 638, Tyngsboro, MA 01879 http://www.kittyangels.org// Cape Ann Animal Shelter, 260 Main Street, Gloucester,MA http://www.capeannanimalaid.com/ Photographs of happy memories from the life of Sandra Conover may be found at this link: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjvDjKvu