Obituary of Sandra McRae

Belchertown - Sandra (Elworthy) McRae, 67, of Belchertown, MA, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2022 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Sandy was born on September 20, 1954 in Exeter, New Hampshire to the late James and Helen (Simpson) Elworthy. Sandy grew up in Wellesley, MA and graduated from Wellesley High School. She then attended Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, earning her Associate's Degree.

Sandy was a loving wife to Thomas W. McRae for 43 years. Sandy and Tom lived together in Stafford Springs, CT before moving to Belchertown in 1985. Together, Sandy and Tom raised two daughters, Samantha Brooke and Courtney Simpson, to whom Sandy was a devoted mother. She was generous, loving, and kind, always dedicating her time and unwavering support to her daughters’ endeavors.

Sandy worked for several years in the Admissions Office at Hampshire College, and starting in 2001, supported the family business as co-owner of the Belchertown Sports Shed. In recent years, Sandy found the greatest joy in life’s simple pleasures. Sandy enjoyed spending her time with family, relaxing with a new Netflix series, and caring for her cat, Mo, and dog, Lacey. Sandy loved her family dearly and cherished visits with her granddaughters.

In addition to her husband Tom, Sandy is survived by her loving daughters, Samantha and her husband Zachariah Page of Austin, TX, and Courtney and her husband Nicholas Pucel of Belchertown; and four precious granddaughters, Norah Rose and Emilia Rae Page and Elliot Magnolia and Declyn Jade Pucel. Sandy is also survived by her brother-in-law, Peter Brooks, and two nephews, Matthew and Shawn Brooks. She is preceded in death by her sister, Deborah Brooks, and her parents.

At the request of the family, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sandy’s name to Dakin Humane Society, www.dakinhumane.org/donate.html, or Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., https://www.lupus.org/give/ways-to-give.