Sandra P. Schwartz

Sandra P. Schwartz “Sandy” was born in Washington, D.C. on August 6, 1941, to Stanley Arthur Palfrey, Jr. and Evelyn Frances (Henderson) Palfrey. Though she spent some time during WW II living in Florida, Sandy spent most of her early years living in DC with extended family including her great-grandmother (Granny), her grandmother (Ma) as well as loving aunts and uncles. She spent her summers in North Beach with Ma and loved being near the water.

In the early 1950’s the family bought a house in Cheverly, MD where she lived until young adulthood. It was during this time that her lifelong love of beagles began with the family dog, Skippy.

Sandy graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1959 and began classes at the University of Maryland with hopes of becoming a teacher. One summer she got a job working at the law firm Conroy and Williams and decided to leave school and continue working. It was there that she met one of the attorneys, Alderic “Al” Sturtevant. They were married on October 20, 1962, and had three children together before divorcing in 1983.

In the early 1970s Sandy went to work for the Department of Agriculture as a secretary where she remained until arthritis forced an early retirement. During that time, she met Paul H. Schwartz, Jr. who she married in 1986.

After retirement Sandy worked part-time for Arbitron and volunteered for Olney Help for more than 30 years. She never let her physical limitations prevent her from keeping busy and enjoying life. She loved traveling, going to Dover to play the slot machines, and reading by the pool. She loved music of all kinds – especially “her” Jimmy Buffett. Christmas was her favorite holiday, but she loved birthdays – anyone’s birthday – as well. Most of all, she loved animals, her precious beagles Ruffie, Floppy, and Scruffy, her pet birds, fish, hermit crabs, and various frogs, toads, squirrels and birds outside.

On October 3rd surrounded by her children Kevin and Cindy, Sandy left this world. She will be greatly missed.

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