Lehman remembered after 30 years
OROVILLE >> Sandra Lee Salvatorelli Lehman is remembered for her devotion to her faith and family; for her generosity and kindness; her love of animals; and, for always looking her best.
Lehman, a 30-year veteran marketing consultant for this newspaper passed away Feb. 11 after an 11-month battle with cancer.
Lehman’s family said that she “found her niche” at the newspaper and came to think of those she worked with and the customers she served as “another family.”
“Sandra consistently brought a hard-working ethic along with enthusiasm and care for her clients. Sandra’s years of service and investment into the Oroville community will leave a lasting legacy,” said Fred Crosthwaite, advertising director.
Lonnie Steadman, former Oroville Mercury-Register advertising manager, recalled Lehman’s work ethic as “amazing” and said she was “never short of energy and always the first to meet goals.”
“She took her job seriously. She talked of her faith and family with deep affection, as well as her love of animals. I appreciated her contribution to a community she loved,” said Steadman.
Rudi Marcozzi, of Marcozzi Jewelers, was both Lehman’s nephew and customer.
“Aunt Sandy was our advertising rep for as long as I can remember. She did an outstanding job for our business, always having our best interests in her heart. She would be sure and let us know of all the specials the newspaper was offering. She was a lot of fun and a good Aunt. We will miss her,” said Marcozzi.
Born April 16, 1942 in Elwood City, Pennsylvania, Lehman was preceded in death by her parents Nicola and Josephine Salvatorelli;
sisters Angela Lamenza, Della Marcozzi and Mary Delliquardi. She is survived by her brother Chester Salvatorelli and sister Anna Connor.
“She has two surviving cousins and a lot of nieces and nephews. I counted and there are 13 of us,” said niece Renee Delliquardi. “Once she went into the hospital, we could not see her because of COVID but we all went to see her about two or three weeks before she passed.”
Lehman attended Oroville High School but returned to Elwood City where she graduated from Lincoln High School before attending the IBM Institute in New Castle, PA. In the late 1970s Lehman made Oroville her permanent home.
Lehman was a devote Catholic and long-time member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. She expressed her faith in numerous ways including through her ministry to inmates at the Butte County Jail. She also regularly attended rosary prayer groups and would take trips to Vina for spiritual retreats.
Lehman led the Divine Mercy Chaplet weekly until the COVID-19 pandemic and then her illness prevented her from doing so.
“Even when she was in a lot of pain, she tolerated it and led the chaplet. She was very devoted to it,” said Irene Hellon, who attended the chaplet.
Lehman’s dedication to her family was as strong as that of her faith. Both her nieces Renee Delliquardi and Michele Delliquardi recall her kindness and devotion to others and especially their mother and Lehman’s sister, Mary Delliquardi, who was ill for many years before she passed away in 2014.
“I took care of mom and for years Sandra was my only contact with the outside world. She’d call and talk to mom but she also called me every day and we’d talk and talk and talk. Those are some of my best memories,” said Renee Delliquardi.
When Lehman got the call from family at the hospital that her sister Mary Delliquardi was dying, she “flew to the church and dragged Father out of a meeting because Mom had to have her last rites,” said Renee Delliquardi.
“It was so important to Mom to have her last rites. And, as soon as she received them, about 30 seconds later she passed. That was the last thing Sandra did for my mom and it was the most important, most precious gift she ever gave any of us,” said Renee Delliquardi.
Lehman also enjoyed hosting her large family for the Christmas holidays decorating her home and “working the entire month of December so the family could be together, see her beautifully decorated home and eat together,” said Michele Delliquardi.
“Oh, she loved the holidays, and Christmas Eve meant so much to her. I will always remember that and her laughter. Her laughter was great and always made you want to laugh with her,” said Michele Delliquardi.
Those holiday celebrations often included traditional Italian fare and traditions as Lehman greatly appreciated her heritage.
“Years ago, she and I would go to the Italian Festival at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. She would get so excited about hearing the familiar language, eating the foods and just seeing 100-percent Italian everything. We’d have a ball. She’d laugh and laugh. I can still hear her laughter. It was contagious,” said Renee Delliquardi.
Her nieces as well as her friends, customers and coworkers all remember Lehman as “coiffed to the nine’s” and “always looking her best.”
“She had a flair for fashion and no matter where you saw her or what she was doing, she was always perfectly dressed and made up. She was so youthful. She just always looked beautiful,” said Michele Delliquardi.
Through the years Lehman rescued many dogs. In the end her last three faithful companions — Angel, Christopher and Nikki — kept loving watch over their mistress.
“Before she went into the hospital those three dogs stayed with her on the bed. They would lick face to wake her up and wouldn’t leave her side unless it was to come out of her bedroom to let us know she was awake and needed something. She was devoted to those dogs and they were devoted to her. They brought her so much comfort to the very end,” said Michele Delliquardi.
A celebration of Lehman’s life will be held during a memorial service at Oroville Cemetery, 1874 Feather River Blvd , at 11: a.m. on what would have been her 79th birthday, April 16.