Sandra LaBrecque
Stonington — Sandra Savage “Sandy” LaBrecque, of Stonington, died unexpectedly at home April 14, 2023. Sandy was born in Norwich, May 7, 1947, to William and Sadie Meronek.
Sandy graduated from Norwich Free Academy, Class of 1965, where she excelled at any sport offered. She played badminton, volleyball and softball with fierce passion.
Sandy got her X-ray technician certification at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, and later went to work for many different doctors in New London, one being Dr. John Tighe, who became like family, forming a lifelong friendship. She ended her work career as a cashier at Mohegan Sun and made lifelong friends there. She enjoyed working as much as she loved retirement. She could make a friend anywhere with her sense of humor, snarky sarcasm and her kindness.
Sandra is survived by her two children, Kristine Savage (Lisa) of Groton, and John Savage (Jodi) of Voluntown; her grands, Merton “Boomer” Savage ( Liz), Annika Savage, Desiree Chasse, JoJo and Isaiah Brown and Kayla Mailman; her great-grands, Meribelle and Calista Savage, Michael, Damien, Piper Jane and Logan Chasse and Joshua and Kingsley Shuman; and Lisa Waller and Ranna McNally, whom she thought of as an extension of her own kids; her sister Valerie Gilman of Mystic; and her brothers, Thomas Meronek (Alice) of Southington, and Steven Meronek of Moosup; her special aunt Pauline Savalle; and godson Jeffrey Savalle of Salem; goddaughter Jessica Savage of New Mexico; and several nieces and nephews.
Sandy was a mom, gramma, aunt, chuchie and friend to so many. She had an uncanny knack to find new friends anywhere she went. She was mischievous in the most caring way. Sandy didn’t raise just her own kids; she raised everybody’s kids. She was her own village in that sense. There was never a child who ever misbehaved when with Sandy! She always told it just how she saw it; she knew how not to pay full price for anything and if you got to shop with her you know! She lived by the school of hard knocks, never buying something if it wasn’t necessary, unless it was some fancy steak burgers on QVC. She survived on nose spray, Vaseline and Chapstick ... If she ever ran out, her day would not be easy and she’d let you know. She was most passionate about her kids, the grands and great-grands and nieces and nephews. Any of us walking through her door would light up her heart. Spending time with her family and friends filled her with happiness. Her friends were good to her, as she was to them, from neighbors checking in on her daily and forming a little gossip club in their chairs in the driveway, to longtime friends calling to check in, to those that had the patience to transport her out to dinner or to play cards. She thrived on that these last several months; and we thank all of you for being there.
“Just wait mom, we will see you again.”
A Celebration of Life brunch will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday May 13, at First Congregational Church, 81 E. Town St., Norwich. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Westerly Senior Center, 39 State St., Westerly, RI 02891.
Waterford — A gathering for family and friends to celebrate the life of Marilyn Doll, 94, who passed away Jan. 26, 2023, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. May 20 at her residence. All who attend are asked to bring a lawn chair.