ALTON BAY, N.H. — Sandra J. Lindley, 71, of Alton Bay, N.H., passed away June 3, 2016, after a courageous six-month battle with cancer, at home in the company of family.
She was born in Lynn on March 5, 1945, to the late Ralph and Dorothy (Smith) Pearson. She lived in Lynn, Saugus and Lynnfield as a youth, and Lynnfield, North Andover, and Alton Bay, N.H., as an adult.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Jim, daughter, Debbie, son, Jim Jr., granddaughter, Stephanie, brother, Kurt, and numerous extended family members and friends spread across the country.
Sandy initially spent her years at home focused on raising her two children to be productive members of society. In the mid 1970s she earned her real estate broker’s license and worked as a broker selling real estate in the greater North Andover area. In the early 1980s, she accepted a position at Merrimack College as an Administrative Assistant, progressing through the Admissions and Student Services offices, eventually being asked to work in the Office of the Vice President.
In the 60’s, Sandy and Jim took their children boating on the ocean, often cruising to Crane and Wingaersheek Beach. Throughout the late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, she spent many weekends year round, and many summer vacations at her parent’s cottage on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, enjoying snowmobiling, swimming, boating and water skiing with her immediate and extended family. Upon retirement in 2002, Sandy and Jim initially enjoyed life by the pool at their home in North Andover, but were soon drawn back to Lake Winnipesaukee. They moved to Alton Bay in 2004, and enjoyed many spring, summer and fall days exploring the lake in the family boat — this was Sandy’s favorite activity. They also spent many days touring the White Mountains, Vermont and Maine over the years, spent weeks touring the continental U.S. via car on numerous trips, often visiting National Parks, and went on a number of cruises, including to Hawaii and the Mediterranean.
A lifelong avid reader, Sandy always had a book in progress. She spent her retirement winters with Jim in Naples, Fla., making many new friends that they kept in contact with and traveled to visit once back in New Hampshire.
Service information: No wake or funeral services will be held. Donations in her memory should be made to the American Cancer Society, Two Commerce Drive, Ste 110, Bedford, NH 03110. Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to Wilkinsonbeane.com.