Sandra Lee Wood, age 72, passed away on April 9, 2021, due to Covid-19 and lymphoma complications. She was born September 6, 1948, into a strong family. Her father, Howard Gray, was POW in World War II, and her mother, Mary Gray, is a powerful woman in her own right. In addition, she was greatly influenced by her grandmother, Louise "Nanny" Kremedas, who immigrated to America on her own at the age of 16.
Sandra grew up on the east side of Columbus, in Bexley and Berwick, and graduated from Eastmoor High School. She was the first woman in her family to go to college, and graduated from Capital University.
After graduating from college, Sandra started her career in the Columbus Public Schools as an elementary school teacher. In her 35 year career, she taught at Easthaven, Pilgrim, Leawood, and Deshler Elementary Schools. She loved teaching young minds, and especially those students who came from underprivileged communities. She always felt that those were the children she could help the most, and found it the most rewarding work.
In retirement, she enjoyed visiting her daughter Amanda Wood in New York City. Her daughter loved taking her mother to meet her friends, as she was friendly and kind to everyone. She even was up for an adventure, such as riding the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island (Which her daughter has only done one time with her mother, and never again!)
If it was summertime in Ohio, you could always catch Sandra lying poolside at her condominium, and in the winter, she enjoyed playing Euchre with her neighbors. She loved to cook and bake, which she learned from grandma Nanny. She was especially "crafty", always trying to knit a scarf, or crochet an afghan. But, her specialty was cross stitch. On any night she would have a needle and thread in hand while she watched her favorite show, Law & Order.
She will greatly be missed, but her love and memory will live on with all the wonderful friends and family she has met in this life.
Sandra is preceded in death by her father, Howard Gray, uncle, John ("Dunkey") Kremedas, and grandmother, Louise ("Nanny") Kremedas. She is survived by her mother, Mary Gray ("Ma"), and her daughter, Amanda ("Mandy") Wood.
Friends may call 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME 403 E. Broad St. where the funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday. Burial to follow at Green Lawn Cemetery.
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