Sandra J. Holbert

On April 5, 2025, Sandra J. Holbert (Sandi), beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, walked up the stairway to heaven and received her angel wings after a courageous 2-year battle with cancer. She was greeted at the heavenly gates by her husband William F. Holbert, Jr.; her parents, Frank and Nellie Holowinsky; her brother, Frank Holowinsky; and stepchildren Donald J. Hayward, Jr. and Jeanette Hayward.

Sandi leaves behind her soulmate, Donald J. Hayward, Sr.; her daughters and sons-in-law Veronica and Joseph Adams, Tracy and BJ Allen, and Seri and Jeff Rake, who will all miss her dearly. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren - Michael, Sheila, Andrew, Katelin, Micah, Jessica and Jeff - as well as many great grandchildren whom she adored. She will also be missed by her sister Judy Bell, a sister-in-law Nydia Holowinsky, and close friends Diane McDonald, Marge and Mike.

Sandi was a force of nature. A vibrant and spirited woman who embraced life and lived it to the fullest. She never shied away from anyone or anything, and made friends wherever she went. Sandi was always up for an adventure, whether it be zip-lining in the Caribbean, completing a rope course over the ocean, or riding an airboat in an alligator infested Miami swamp. She never left a party without taking “the good-bye tour,” making her way around the room to chat and say good-bye to everyone.

Sandi loved cruising. She and Don would sometimes take 2 or 3 cruises a year, with many more trips in between. They also loved spending time at casinos, taking several overnight trips to Turning Stone or Yellow Brick Road, or heading to Tioga Downs for an afternoon of fun.

Sandi loved throwing parties. She made sure everyone had a good time and never left hungry, or empty handed. She prided herself on being a gracious and welcoming host, and putting people at ease in her home.

Sandi worked at ACHIEVE in the Day-Hab Program and her participants loved her as much as she loved them. She enjoyed taking them on outings and just spending time with them in the core room. In 2014, Sandi was honored with a NYS Women of Distinction award for her dedication to family and the community.

Sandi was an empathetic person who felt things deeply. She was also a chameleon and could adapt and adjust to any situation. She had a sarcastic sense of humor, a loud laugh and an even louder sneeze. She could put you in your place with just one look, and if she flashed “that smile” at you, it was over. She was thoughtful and kind but never dull or boring. She could make us laugh and throw back a Crown with the best of us. She was also braver and smarter than she will ever know. She carried herself like a queen, even in jeans and sneakers.

Sandi will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her. She didn’t want to leave us and she fought long and hard until the end.

Viewing hours will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on April 11th at the Wm. R. Chase & Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Street, Port Dickinson. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 12 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1031 Chenango Street, Binghamton, followed by burial at Vestal Hills Memorial Cemetery.

The family kindly asks that everyone attending wear purple in honor of Sandi’s courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. We know she will be looking down from heaven and smiling.

“Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that’s the way I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears then don’t remember me at all."