Sandra Kay Kerwin

SEPTEMBER 25, 1940 – JULY 9, 2024

Sandra Kay Canton Kerwin passed away peacefully at home on July 9, 2024 at the age of 83. Her primary cause of death was Cancer. We thank her family, friends and hospice caregivers who provided love and support during this difficult time.

Sandy was born in Fargo, North Dakota, grew up in Minneapolis, MN, worked and raised a family in Rochester, NY and enjoyed her retirement years in Raleigh, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Edythe Canton. Sandy was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her loving husband, William Kerwin of 62 years, daughter Stacey (Michael), son William (Kimberly), grandchildren Jackson, Julia, Quinn and Ruby, sister Patricia (Ronald), and brothers Kenneth (Trae) and John (Mary).

She graduated third in her Class of 1958 from St. Louis Park High School in Minnesota and went on to graduate from the Abbott School of Nursing in Minneapolis in 1962. It was in her nature to care for children as a Registered Nurse. She served patients at Abbott Hospital in Minneapolis, MN and both Rochester General and Park Ridge Hospitals in Rochester, New York.

She had many interests and was best known for her gift of hospitality. She could usually be found in the kitchen, where she prepared and hosted many special meals and was known to be an accomplished and creative chef. She formed gourmet dinner groups in Rochester, NY and Raleigh, NC. Family and friends looked forward to every Christmas Eve when she prepared a traditional Norwegian dinner.

She and her husband enjoyed playing cards, bowling, golf, and many other social activities, primarily with friends at Ridgemont Country Club in Greece, NY. Together they traveled to 48 states, including Hawaii, and travelled internationally to Europe, Australia and the Caribbean. She was always up for a competitive duplicate bridge game and partnered with her Mother or Husband.

What mattered most to her was family. Bringing happiness and success to her children was her top priority. She always worked to bring family together, including a Disney cruise to the Bahamas with her children and all four of her grandchildren. She also kept extended family close, arranging family reunions for her many cousins, aunts, uncles, children, and their families.

After moving to Raleigh, NC in 1998, she continued to focus her attention on her family and close friends, spending holidays together and travelling to see them both near and far. Her last trip was to Florida in April of 2024 where she saw many close friends and two of her three siblings. She will be remembered for her warm personality and love for her husband, Bill.  We can surmise from the picture below that the Kerwin's had a warm and wonderful 60th wedding anniversary party, with togas in place and many friends in attendance.

In our high school class, Sandy's talents were obvious.  It was said of her that, "The fairest garden in her looks, and in her mind, the wisest books."  Sandy was a superior student and her classroom efforts over our last four years, and her high grade point average, earned her 3rd place, right behind our Valedictorian David Hildebrand and Salutatorian Roger Montgomery.  She never revealed her high honors, keeping it a secret except for just a few of us who were very close to her. That was who she was.  She did, however, later admit that "the best thing we took away from those years was finding our soul mate and love of our life.  After our first date, the Junior Prom, we [she and Bill Kerwin] went steady, got pinned at the 'U,' we were engaged, then married in 1962."

Sandy was active in the Girls Athletic Association, Talent Show, Blue Tri, Spanish Club, Latin Club, Student Council and Brush and Palette.  One can only wonder if she passed along her many talents to her two children.