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Sandy’s motto “to bring joy to all she meets”. She truly lived by that motto every day of her life.
Sandra (Sandy) Longley Gallagher Born August 8, 1939, in Milford Massachusetts.
Franklin
Massachusetts was the setting for Sandy’s wonderful childhood. Her
parents Grant (Prof) and Marion Longley made sure they showed their four
children Sandy, Grant, Merrie, & Mark that life should be lived to
the fullest through adventure and giving back.
A degree in
nursing was the career path that Sandy walked. After graduating with a
nursing degree from New England Deaconess School of Nursing, she pursued
hospital nursing until she received her certification in Epidemiology
where she had an impactful career as an Infection Control Nurse during
the AIDS epidemic. Sandy was supportive and caring for so many
individuals that were affected by that disease. Her final years of her
career were spent working as an HIV specialist with Merck
Pharmaceuticals.
A move to New Jersey in 1962 with her first
husband Doug Raubenheimer was the start of a new adventure. Sandy loved
her years of being a Mom to her children Peter & Wendy (Her favorite
story when she was growing up was Peter Pan). Peter and his beautiful
wife Lisa brought Sandy two totally awesome grandchildren Joey &
Chelsea. Those two are her heart for sure.
Sandy and her second
husband Bill Gallagher luckily shared the same dream, to live in a log
home. They pursued that dream and in 2003 they found the Rockfish Valley
and built a fine-looking log home in Afton Va. They were greeted each
day with a stunning mountain view.
The calendar was always full in
Sandy’s life. An extremely active member of Rockfish Presbyterian
Church. Volunteering as a Master Gardener, helping animals at Almost
Home Animal Shelter and especially loving her involvement with her book
clubs (yes, not just one but two). She dearly loved her book club
friends.
Home, gardens, family, friends, entertaining, much
laughter, and community filled Sandy’s days, and her two dogs Sunny
& Moo filled her heart.
A beautiful life if there ever was one.
Services will be held at Rockfish Presbyterian Church on July 7, 2026, at 1:00PM. 5016 Rockfish Valley Hwy., Nellysford, VA.
A
reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall at the church. Bright and
colorful attire required. (Sandy wouldn’t have wanted it any other way).
In lieu of flowers donations would be greatly appreciated for Nelson County SPCA.
Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfunralhomes.com
