Sandra N. Colbert

Sandra Newman Colbert, age 80, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 27th 2018. The cause was Parkinson’s. She is survived by her husband George Allison (m. 2011), son Elliot Mitchell of West Chester, Pennsylvania, daughter Rachel Colbert of New York City, and grandchildren Evan and Jane Mitchell.

Sandra was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 2, 1938, to Myron and Florence Newman. She was a graduate of Shaker Heights High School ,‘56, and Smith College ’60, where she graduated cum laude with honors in History and is remembered by close friends for her sharp intellect and their many long walks and talks together. She was known as Sandra Louise Newman until her first marriage, to Warner Mitchell (d.2009), in 1961, with whom she had a son and remained friends for the rest of her life. She was also married to Richard Colbert (1967-1980), with whom she had a daughter. A great lover of travel, from 1985 – 2006 she lived and traveled the world with her dear friend Arlene Kravitz (d.2006), with whom she visited 82 countries.

Sandra did volunteer work with Head Start in downtown Cleveland during the 1970s. She also worked at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beachwood, Ohio for a decade. She loved to read and was proud to live “a life of the mind,” reading deeply in history and literary fiction throughout her life. She was rarely seen without a book in hand. Sandra cared deeply for animals, especially her own cherished pets, who lived long and happy lives under her care. Family, friends, and others whose lives Sandra touched are invited to make a memorial donation to Rescue Village (www.geaugahumane.org) or Smith College (smith.edu). Private services will be held.

The family would also like to extend their appreciation and condolences to the Allison family.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL (800) 448-2210