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Sandra Kay (nee Smith) Lister, 70, died after a long and valiant battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) on January 13th, 2017, at her home in Woodbridge, CT surrounded by her family and friends.
Sandy was born on July 31st, 1946, to Bobbie and Kenneth Smith, in San Antonio where she was raised. She received a BA in English from Southern Methodist University in 1968, where she had been recruited to be the featured twirler, the "Doll," for the band known as "96 Guys and a Doll." She earned a MEd from the University of South Florida in 1971 and taught middle school for 12 years in Florida and Massachusetts. She specialized in helping troubled students find their potential through creative expression and dance. She subsequently studied law at the University of Texas (UT) and Yale University, receiving her JD from UT while being honored as "Best Advocate" and becoming a member of the CT Bar Association in 1985. She married Dr. George Lister on October 8, 1983, and they raised two sons, Jacob, born in 1986, and David, born in 1988. She was a fiercely dedicated and loving mother, an avid learner and spiritual seeker, and a passionate advocate for the environment and social justice. She was a gifted amateur writer, painter, dancer and singer, and brought her strong artistic sense to everything she did. She overflowed with love, kindness, and laughter, and made lasting friendships at every stage of her life. Her large circle of family and friends showered her with love and admiration as she faced her illness with courage, grace, and absolute determination to live. She will be sorely missed by the many whose lives she has touched.
She is survived by her husband, George, and two sons, Jacob and David; her mother, Bobbie Smith, her sister, Tanya Power, and her brother, Kenneth Smith of San Antonio; her sister, Wanda Henry of Dallas; and her brother Darryl Smith of Scarsdale, NY, as well as many nieces and nephews.
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Linus Baer
I also remember Sandy at all of our pep rallies, talent shows and Friday night football games. Sandy was full of energy and always had a smile for everyone. I feel privileged to have known her and I pray her family will find comfort in their fond memories of her.
Bryant Pringle
Sandy was so sweet and so talented. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Sharon Agne (Neumann)
I, like so many of us, have such wonderfully vivid memories of that bouncing pony tail marching down the football field, baton soaring overhead. I didn't know Sandy well in school but got to know her better at our reunions. She was a special lady, and I am so thankful so many of us got to be with her at our 50th. Rest in peace, sweet girl.
Jean Carter
Sandy's love of life and her warmth was felt by all of us. Godspeed to you, lovely lady! May tender thoughts and cherished memories soothe her family and loved ones as they say their last goodbyes.
Judy Ranney
This one is really hard for me. I've known Sandy since we were both seven years old. She lived behind me, and we hung out a lot as kids. It's always painful to lose someone, but to lose that million-watt smile and that incredible soul full of so much energy really hurts. I am very gratefuI I got to spend time with her at the 50th. Safe journey, Sandy, and blessings on your family & friends.
Karen Billa (Forks)
I just returned from Sandy's funeral, and it was such a wonderful tribute to a wonderful lady. What an absolute sweetheart Sandy was. In high school she ALWAYS had that beautiful smile of hers that she flashed at a moments notice as she passed you in the hallway between classes!! I didn't know her that well in high school, but she and I corresponded and I got to see her a couple of times when she would come to San Antonio during her illness. She always, always was upbeat, even during her pain. She was a fighter, but I think God needed some extra sunshine in heaven and took Sandy to shine there forever. She will be missed so very much. George, David and Jacob -- may you find peace in the knowledge that she was loved by all who knew her!! Bunches of love and prayers to her beautiful family, Karen Billa Forks
Bryant Pringle
The service was awesome‼ The music was great, and everyone in Sandy's family was given a chance to talk about his or her experiences with Sandy. She was an extraordinary woman, and had a wonderful family and hundreds of friends who loved her.
Dennie Box (Scoggins)
My husband, Bruce, and I attended Sandy's funeral Saturday with sadness at having to say farewell to my classmate and lifelong friend of Bruce's. The services were a loving tribute to her gentle soul . She was so sweet-natured with, always, that genuine sunny smile and sparkling eyes that lit up your world every time you saw her. The love her family has for her could be seen and felt by the beautiful memories they shared with all assembled. How fortunate we all might be to have such uncomprising love in our lives. Hopefully, most of us are blessed to have this acceptance and love from our own this very day. We were truly honored to be asked to sit with this extraordinary family at the services as one of their own. Bruce's and Sandy's families were extensions of each other as they grew up together on Dawnview Lane in San Antonio. His grandparents, by whom he was raised, became surrogate grandparents to all the Smith children, thus I, too, because of my relation with the Ebdons and Bruce, became counted as one of their own.. Such a blessing! We ask God to wrap the Smith/Lister family with love, peace and comfort. God must have needed a tiny dancer in His heaven for He called her to Him far too soon. Rest in Peace, little angel.
King York
The following poem was written by Tom Morgan, class of 66.
It was given to Sandy and Wanda's mom at the reception on 1-21-2017 following the funeral for Sandy Smith Lister. She and Wanda, class of 63 were Lee majorettes and Sandy was the Aerialist her senior year.
"Sisters, a year in between"
Sisters, a year in between
Two Fireflies, light glows from their hands
A chalk stick lays softly between graceful fingers
Illuminated hands draw stacked squares on summer sun sidewalks
Their eyes glisten!
Hopscotch!
Two fireflies, light glows from their hands
A constellation of 6 point stars spray across a cool shady porch
A soft red sphere bounces
Gentle as an autumn breeze, stars disappear into illuminated hands
Their eyes glisten
Jacks!
Two fireflies, light glows from their hands
Ten million dance lessons
Their teacher demands, "Your hands, your hands"
Swans they perform
Their eyes glisten
Ballet!
Two fireflies, light glows from their hands
A sea of Lee Vols red blows through brass instruments, melodies fill crisp fall nights
Sisters a year in between
They spin to the crowd like flowers turn to the sun
In their fingers, a glittering silver baton rolls fast, then soars a mile into the night sky
An effortless catch, the crowd exhales
Their eyes glisten, their smiles radiate
Twirling!
Two fireflies, light glows from their hands
by Tom Morgan on behalf of 1960's Lee Athletes
Rest in peace Sandy Smith
Judy Ranney
That is beautiful and perfectly descriptive of those girls. Thanks for posting this.