Sandra F. Hanshaw

Sandra F. Hanshaw, 73 years old, who resided at 42 Church Street, Athol, MA, passed away unexpectedly at Heywood Hospital, Gardner, MA on September 30, 2024. She was born in Gardner, MA on October 28, 1950. Never to be apart again, Sandra is now reunited with her husband, Lawrence J. Hanshaw (Bucky), who predeceased her in March of 1999. 

Anyone who had the honor to have met Sandra knew she was a kind soul with an immense love for all. Sandra has done many things in her life: gas station attendant, she and Bucky owned a used car lot (Buck's Used Cars) in Orange, MA, and a secondhand store selling everything you can imagine in downtown Athol, MA.

Sandra had many hobbies she enjoyed and was great at: sewing, small appliance repair, flowers & plants, yard work, fixing her vehicle, and she would take care of animals that needed love, needed a home, or food. She liked going to auctions, tag sales, flea-markets then having a tag sale at her home on the weekends.

Her absolute greatest gift was being the Best Mom Ever, a daughter, sister, auntie, a NaNa, and a Great NaNa. She was an amazing Mom to her children, she also took care of 2 nieces and 2 nephews who were like siblings to her kids, to this day they consider their Auntie as a second Mom. The children were as close as siblings. Growing up was the greatest.

Our father and grandparents stated if they were ever stricken ill they did not want to go to hospitals if terminal. All who lived at 42 Church Street, Athol, MA made a decision, as hard as it was knowing it was going to be a strain on their bodies and minds, they wanted to die with dignity and lots of love around them at their home, 42 Church Street, Athol, MA. Sandra, with the help of family, was able to grant all three their wishes, each at separate times and years apart. Sandra kept her promise to her husband, father, and mother-in-law: they died with lots of love surrounding them. That's quite an awesome gift fulfilling someone's last wishes!

Sandra leaves her children: Sandra A. (Hanshaw) Bezio (Richard) of Athol; Anne M. Hanshaw of Athol; Lawrence J. Hanshaw Jr. of Athol; and Eric P. Hanshaw (Casey Croteau) of Athol; her 2 nieces and 2 nephews: Deanna M. Melanson, Deana A. Wright, John Masaitis, and Victor J. Masitis; and her youngest niece, quite a spoiled little girl, Crystal King; four grandchildren: Lisa M. Woodward (Tyler); Lawrence J. Hanshaw (LJ), Carlee Corteau, and Colby Hanshaw; two great-granddaughters: Ellie Grace Woodard, and Alexandra Marie Woodard; brothers: Bruce Savage (Donna); Walter Ball, and Clyde Ball; sisters: Patricia Whitney, Deborah Ball, Leanne (Chick) Cummings (Mike), Carol A. Burns, and Lind Rathburn. 

She was predeceased by: sisters Olah Whatley, Cynthia Merrill and Darlene Pellitier; brothers Robert A. Savage, Douglas E. Savage, Arthur F. Savage III, and Gregory I. Ball; 2 grandsons Nathan T. Hanshaw and Jeremy LJ Hanshaw. 

Sandra had been sharing what she wanted at her funeral, she wanted everyone to wear some shade of the color Orange, as it was her favorite color. Let's all represent this beautiful, amazing person.

We encourage friends and family to share their memories and upload photos of Sandy to the memorial page. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Mack Family Funeral Home, Athol/Orange Chapel, 110 New Athol Road, Orange, MA.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol, MA.  Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, Brookside Road, Athol, MA.