Sandra Joanne Dyslin (Leach) was born on February 22, 1937 to parents Earl and Anna Bess Leach (Morehouse). She was an only child, growing up in the post depression era, a time that was booming with hope and anticipation. As a young woman she carried that hope and anticipation with her and took them to the skies. At the age of 20 years old, Sandy became a stewardess for Continental Airlines. She earned her million mile wings within 3 short years and flew all over world, seeing sights, smiling big, and bringing her 'dare to dream' attitude home with her. It was her beautiful smile, her "Sparkle Plenty" eyes, and her laughter that captured the heart of Joel, her steady at the time. He recalls a time when he was in Alaska awaiting his discharge papers from the US Army and worried whether or not Sandy would still be around when he returned home. Would she be waiting for him? Had she found someone new? As he stood waiting in line, a Sergeant called from the office "Dyslin! You've got a phone call." Wondering who might be calling him, and worried for his family in Chicago, he was pleasantly surprised to hear the sweet, familiar voice of Sandy on the other end, calling to let him know that she had completed her flying time with Continental and was transferred back to Chicago. She called just to let him know that she would be home when he got back. And the rest is history. In 1967 Sandy and Joel made the trek east in search of a place in the country to plant some roots. They landed in a small town, Spencertown, and purchased a beautiful home surrounded by lush acreage, a place they imagined they could raise a family. In no time, they were welcomed and greeted by their neighbors and made quick and life-long friends. There are stories about these young, wild friends whooping it up Route 203 late at night waking all the older folk, swimming up at Beaver Dam, getting "asked to leave" from places for having far too much fun. Sandy was not afraid to live big and live loud and she attracted the same kind of folks. As their connections began to deepen within the Spencertown community, Sandy became a member of St. Peter's Church and volunteered for decades with the Tower Club and became a member of the Women Unabridged group. In 1968 Sandy and Joel welcomed their first daughter, Sandra Jr. They welcomed another daughter, Louise into their home for several years before their second daughter, Wendy, was born in 1974.  In 1979, Marcy, their last daughter was born. As her children grew, Sandy was able to spread her wings a bit and explore the things that made her heart soar, like caring for the sick and elderly. She would make dinners for those who were homebound and deliver them nightly. She cared for many sick and elderly individuals, being the loving and kind hand that advocated for their well-being and eventually held them in prayer and love as they transitioned to death. Sandy was able to keep a joyful and loving companionship with those she cared for and their families. And even when illness had struck her own body, she would continue to reach out to those friends and community members who were also struggling with illness, she gathered her Spirit and spread hope and love to anyone who needed encouragement through their fight. Sandy discovered her passion for the theatre in the 1980's and because of her love for laughter and community she was, for over 30 years, a familiar voice on the other end of the line at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, taking reservations and giving her grand review of the current show and line-up. She made dear friends with many of the young actors coming through the theatre (some of whom she loved like family and so they continued to visit with her for years to come and bring treats that she loved to eat, although she was unwilling to share), as well as the staff. She would attend all the dress rehearsals to get a preview of the show, and then would go see the show again (always on the last Sunday) and is remembered to sometimes stop the show because of her infectious and uncontrollable laughter as she awaited the punch line. Sandy was also a lifetime member of the Spencertown Ladies Auxiliary and, while she never held an official position, she was and will forever be remembered for being the one who manned the dessert table at every Auxiliary function. She will be remembered for always knowing which dessert was best, who made what, and knowing which dessert each person would enjoy the most. Being the wife of an Elk, Sandy also participated in many Elk functions: supporting their dinners, breakfasts, and fundraisers. Again, setting up the dessert table was a task she appreciated most, but she also enjoyed greeting and sending folks off, thanking them for coming, and sharing hugs as they'd head out the door. As time went on, and as illnesses began to set in, Sandy never lost her drive, her hope. As her body became tired she entered into a new and much loved craft of quilting. Sandy became a regular down at Foofsique and would spend many a day quilting the hours away. She enjoyed so much creating gifts for those she loved. She was the last of a dying breed of those who would hand sew their craft, although she did own and love a beautiful sewing machine that she would use for her larger projects. Anyone who has received a quilted item from Sandy will tell you how beautiful and how obvious it is the attention she gave to every detail. Exquisite work from an exquisite lady. While Sandy was and continues to be loved by so many within her community, none love her more than her 11 grandchildren. Her daughters each gave her many small hands to hold, small bodies to rock, and sweet baby smells to sniff. Sandy, or known to the grandkids as "Grammie", will live on in the hearts of Holly (17), Casen (15), Bella (13), Jonathan (13), Richard (13), Erin (11), Jane (10), Charlotte (7), Conner (7), Kiki (5), Seraphina (3), and Daphne (1).  Each child was given the gift of having their very own special and unique relationship with Grammie. None was like the other, every child was treated differently and she had her own very special ways of showing her love for them individually. While some may say cancer won, we believe wholeheartedly, that our Mama, our Wife, our Grammie won because she is at peace, she is alive in ways she couldn't be for the last many years. Her Spirit soars higher than the planes she flew in and the love that she worked so hard to cultivate is palpable in ways none of us could ever imagine. In ways many of us can't explain, even though her physical body is no longer visible to our eyes, she is somehow closer to us now than ever before. And while most would say she "leaves us behind" we feel as though she's paved the way for her family that continues to walk on this Earth; her husband Joel, her daughters and their spouses Sandy and Adam, Wendy and Brian, Marcy and Lee, her 11 grandchildren, beloved nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, beloved friends and companions. We would be honored if you would join us for a memorial service of Sandy's life followed by a dessert reception on Saturday September 19, 2015 from 2:00pm-5:00pm at the Kinderhook Elks Lodge, located at 2750 NY-9H, Kinderhook, NY.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the following organizations: CURE CMD Collagen VI Research Fund or Quilts for Kids. Please mail all donations to French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Ave, Chatham, NY 12037