SOUTHWICK – Sandra Jean “Sandy” (Leavitt) Hamann, 77, a resident of Southwick for over 50 years, formerly of Westfield, died Saturday evening, March 15, 2014 at Noble Hospital with her loving daughters at her side. She was born in New Britain, CT a daughter of the late Ward and Esther (Leadbetter) Leavitt and was a graduate of Westfield High School Class of 1954.Sandy was employed by the Town of Southwick as the Police Department dispatcher for many years from which she retired. Previously, Sandy was employed for a number of years with the Massachusetts Department for Children Services, and as the former secretary at the Southwick Congregational Church where she was an active longtime member and former deacon. Sandy was a former member of then Westfield Riding Club and for many years served on the Southwick Citizens Scholarship Committee. She was active member of the Southwick community. She enjoyed gardening, horseback riding and socializing with her friends. She was an avid reader who appreciated a good debate about politics or an intellectual discussion about world affairs. She was often referred to as “Poet Sandy”, and wrote scores of personalized poems for members of the community.
She was the devoted wife of 43 years to the late Richard W. Hamann who died on May 1, 2004 and leaves two loving daughters, Glenda J. Berry and her husband James and Fredrika A. Ballard and her husband Joseph both of Southwick; three sisters, Tharon Williams of Westfield, Carol Grimaldi and her husband Theodore of West Springfield and Linda Palmer of South Yarmouth; four grandchildren, Kimberly J. English and her husband Brian, Melissa L. Snyder and her husband Matthew, Alison M. Berry and her fiancé John Guertin and Jordan F. Cahillane; two step-grandchildren, Eric and Emily Ballard; four great-grandchildren, Angelina, Brayden, Olivia and Luke; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Orman and John “Jack” Leavitt.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the Southwick Congregational Church, 488 College Highway in Southwick. Burial will be private at a later date in New Cemetery Southwick. Relatives and friends may call on Thursday evening, March 20th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick.
Contributions in memory of Sandy may be directed to the Southwick Volunteer Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 532, Southwick, MA 01077. For more information, please visit us at: www.forastierefuneralhome.com
