Obituary of Sandra "Sande" Obergefell

Sandra “Sande” Obergefell passed away on December 3, 2024, at the age of 76.

She was born on October 27, 1948, to Martin J. and Bernice (Tompkins) Obergefell and was the second of their 8 children. A 1966 graduate of Oneonta High School and a 1967 graduate of The Utica School of Commerce, Sande spent most of her life in the Albany and Plattsburgh, NY areas.

Sande worked for many years at Northeastern Industrial Contracting in Plattsburgh before moving to Delhi in 2006 to be closer to family. She worked at Sportsfield Specialties in Delhi from 2008 until her retirement in 2016.

Sande enjoyed gardening and was quick to share her knowledge, especially the botanical names of plants. She also had a strong interest in genealogy, tracing her family’s roots back many generations. One of her most fascinating discoveries was her family's connection to Eli Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin, as well as to Thomas and William Whitney, early developers of Whitney Point, NY. It was through her genealogical research that she was introduced to her half-sister, Martha.

Sande is predeceased by her parents, Martin J. and Bernice (Tompkins) Obergefell, and her siblings: Marty Obergefell, Sharon (Al) Brown, and Barb (Dan) Hotaling. She is survived by her siblings: Bonnie (Jim) Francisco of Delhi, NY, Danny (Sue) Obergefell of Oneonta, NY, Neil (Cindy) Obergefell of Deep River, CT, and Barry (Dan) Obergefell of Hector, NY; and half-sibling Martha Morris of Old Central Bridge, NY.

Sande also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews, but she was particularly close to her nieces Mandy (Justin) Francisco, Jamie Francisco, and Crystal Francisco, along with her great-nephew and great-niece Alton and Lila Francisco.

There will be no formal services. The family encourages friends and loved ones to share their memories of Sande by visiting www.hallandpeet.com.

Donations may be made in Sande’s memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society https://diy.lls.org/SandeObergefell or the American Diabetes Association http://main.diabetes.org/goto/SandeObergefell