September 27, 1946 - March 7, 2025
Bradenton, Florida - Sandra (Sandy) Anderson was born on September 27, 1946 in Plainfield, New Jersey to Stuart Newton Cahoon, M.D. and Myrtle Katherine Cahoon (Opdyke). She passed away in Bradenton, Florida at the age of 78 on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Sandy is survived by her older sister, Elizabeth Knickerbocker (David), her nieces, Amy Knickerbocker and Katie Perkey (Shane), great nieces and nephews, Leyton, Addison, and Emerson Perkey, best friend Alma Akin, and many friends from her teaching days and former relatives. She is predeceased by her parents and beloved dogs.
Sandy, her older sister, and her parents moved frequently during her childhood. Sandra fondly recalled her early childhood summers in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. In 1956, the family moved to Miami, Florida where Sandra attended North Miami Junior High School. In 1961, the family relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii, and Sandy graduated from Punahou Academy in 1964. Hawaii remained a special place to live. Sandy later returned to Florida for college. She attended the University of South Florida and then the University of Florida, where she completed her B.S. in Elementary Education in 1967. She later obtained a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 1977.
Sandy taught for 42 years at Prine Elementary. As a 2nd grade teacher, Sandy tirelessly prepared lesson plans to challenge her pupils to reach their highest potential. Soft-spoken, creative, dependable, and known as highly organized, Sandy was often nominated as the go-to mentor for new teachers. She was chosen to be "Grade Level Team Leader" and the district-wide representative for the "Peer Teacher" to mentor teaching interns from local universities and colleges. In 1990, she was nominated to be Teacher of The Year for Manatee County. She will always be remembered by those she taught and those she inspired.
Sandy doted on her nieces, spending every holiday together and attending many of their events. Sandy was a thoughtful and generous gift-giver. Her great nieces and nephew had the benefit of her attention, interest, and kindness. She was a cherished friend who loved shopping trips, craft fairs, restaurants, cultural events, and travel from Alaska, throughout the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe. She was passionate about her dogs.
Sandra's legacy will always be remembered by her love for family, close friendships, through the students she taught, and the colleagues she inspired.
Donations in Sandy's memory can be made to the Humane Society of Manatee County.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 22nd at Pier 22 at 11:00 a.m.
Online condolences may be offered by visiting the Brown & Sons Funeral Home website - www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
