Sandra G. Van Benschoten
Sandra Gail Van Benschoten, 82, of Jay, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022 in Lake Placid. She was born on April 19, 1940 in Suffern, New York, and was the only child of Anthony and Helen (Mowerson) Locker. She grew up in Ramsey, New Jersey. Sandy is survived by her husband of 53 years, Thomas J. Van Benschoten, also of Jay. They were married on Jan. 11, 1969 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ramsey.
Sandy attended Ramsey High School and was an O.R. nurse at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orange, New Jersey and Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. She and her husband Tom raised their two children in Saddle River, New Jersey. Sandy was a Girl Scout leader, substitute school nurse and was active on the Saddle River Historical Society. In 1986, she published “The History of Saddle River,” a comprehensive history of the town. Her husband Tom was the longtime owner of The Hardware Store in Saddle River before they retired in 2004 and moved north to the Adirondacks. Sandy was an active member on the SPRC and various committees at Whiteface Community United Methodist Church in Wilmington.
Sandy was happiest near the water — boating, camping and spending time with her family in the Adirondacks and Northern Nevada. She was an avid genealogist, loving mother and Oma. As she said very recently, “I’ve had a good life.”
Along with her husband Tom, she is survived by her daughter Kathy (Van Benschoten) Walen and husband Kevin of Reno, Nevada; son Thomas A. Van Benschoten and wife Jennifer of Jay; and her beloved grandchildren Kinsey, Kady and Colden.
Arrangements are entrusted to Zaumetzer Funeral Home in Au Sable Forks. A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.
A tribute for Sandy can be found at www.hzfuneralhome.com, where you can leave memories and expressions of sympathy for the family.