Obituaries

Sandra Halliday Hoard, 87 years, currently of Madison, Wisconsin, died on April 15, 2024. She was known by those who loved her by many names: Sandy, Mom, Grandma, Aunt Sandy or Grandma Great.

Sandy was born on January 29th,1937 to Margaret (Barrow) and George Halliday in Chicago, Illinois. She was a proud graduate of Fenger High School, and The University of Illinois with a degree in Journalism, and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta.

Sandy met the love of her life, Richard Hoard, at the University of Illinois and they soon began their life together, getting married and raising 4 children, Cindy, Debora, Rich, and Trish. In 1979, the family grew to include another son, Fernando Boeing, who joined the family as an exchange student from Brazil. Over Sandy and Rich’s 64 years of marriage, Sandy made their home variously in Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey and for 30 years in Charlotte, N.C.

Sandy never left a community untouched by her willing spirit, irrepressible humor, energy, and grace. She was active in The Infant Welfare Society (Il), The Thursday Morning Club (NJ), The League of Women Voters, The American Association of University Women, PEO (NC), Mint Museum Docents, those catholic congregations they sought out for the family, and every school her children ever attended.

Most importantly, Sandy was a woman who loved with her whole heart. She had a smile that enveloped strangers in welcome, friends in warmth, and family in undiluted love. Her way with words could encourage excellence, soothe a sore heart, inspire donations, smite dragons, conquer crossword puzzles, and renew one’s hope in humankind. Her laughter was infectious and her kitchen always open.

Sandy was predeceased by her husband, Rich Hoard in 2022. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and forever remain in the hearts of her friends and her family. Sandy is survived by her children and their spouses, Cindy (Jim Trucksis), Debora (Tom Christman), Rich (Angie Schoeneck) and Trish (Michael Rice), Fernando (Denise), and her grandchildren Sandra, John (Katrina), Ronan, Kate (Rob), Georgia, Rachel, and Rebekah, and her 3 great grandchildren, Nicholas, Jack, and Marceline. As well as her brother-in-law Steve Hoard (Jody), sister-in-law Peg Halliday (Bob) and 7 nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held for Sandy and Rich Hoard on Saturday, August 10th at 10am in Charlotte, NC. It will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte, 234 N. Sharon Amity Road. A reception will follow at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Thursday Morning Club- Madison Community House, 25 Cook Ave, Madison, NJ 07940 www.thursdaymorningclub.org or PEO "Chapter E, NC Fund" can be mailed to our Treasurer:

Karen Kernosek-Rhee

8828 Raven Top Drive

Mint Hill, NC 28277