Obituary of Sandra A. Nichols
Sandra (Sandy) Noga Nichols passed away peacefully on September 22, 2020 at UMass Memorial with her husband by her side after a short illness. Sandy was predeceased by her mother Stephanie (Kardas) and her father Stanley Noga of Noga Turkey Farm. She leaves behind the love of her life, her husband David of Melbourne, Australia. They met in 1973 and it was love at first sight. In 1975, they married on their lunch hour at City Hall in New York City. Their love for each other was beyond words and carried them through 45 years of shared interests and adventures.
Sandy’s family was very important to her and she was always the first to lend a helping hand. She was an amazing big sister who lovingly watched and cared for her younger sisters; Cindy Windyka of Palmer, MA, Noey Sawin of Athol, MA, and Judi Fennelly of Millbury, MA. She loved spending and hosting holidays with her family, including her brothers-in-law Whitey Windyka and Butch Sawin, and her niece and nephews; Eric Windyka (wife Christie), Kelly Czarnecki (husband Curt), Ryan Windyka, Jimmy Sawin (wife Emily), Chad Windyka (wife Steph), Richie Fennelly (wife Lauren) and Kyle Fennelly (girlfriend Katie).
She leaves behind two cousins that were like brothers to her; Joe Reidy (wife Linda) originally of Gilbertville, MA and John Pyzocha (wife Sylvia) of Palmer, MA. She also leaves great nieces and nephews Silas, Lucas, Ella, Evan, Emmie and Hanna.
Sandy graduated from Palmer High School in 1968. Sandy was accepted into Wheaton College with the help of her extraordinary guidance counselor, Margaret Ziegler. Attending Wheaton was a changing point in Sandy’s life, and where she met her college roommate and loving best friend of 50 years, Paula Pilewicz.
In 1976, Sandy and David moved to Australia where they lived for 4 years, a move that opened the doors of the world to her. They returned to the U.S. in 1980 and a life of world travel began.
In 1990, she joined the Palmer Tuesday Club which was established in 1891. She leaves behind her loving Tuesday Club sisters.
Sandy was very involved in her community. She served on the Palmer Historical Commission for 20 years. She was also a dedicated volunteer at the Palmer Public Library, where she became a director and served on the Library’s Building Commission.
After returning to the U.S., Sandy and David continued to travel back and forth to Australia. In 1992, they found their passion in Europe and the Middle East and travelled internationally twice a year. Sandy has friends across three continents.
Sandy lived a full and exciting life and had said many times if she died tomorrow, she knows she lived a wonderful life and was loved deeply.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sandy's name may be made to the Palmer Public Library, 1455 N. Main Street, Palmer, MA 01069.
