Sandra "Sandy" L. Van Benschoten

Sandra "Sandy" Louise (Rockwell) Van Benschoten of King Ferry, NY (formerly of Ithaca) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on February 14, 2017 due to the cumulative effects of her 42 year struggle with Multiple Sclerosis ("MS"). She had recently celebrated her 69th birthday, having been born on January 26, 1948 in Cortland, NY to Ross A. and Betty J. (Gallow) Rockwell, both predeceasing her.

Growing up in Groton, Sandy developed a lifelong love of reading by working at the Groton Public Library. Although an unpaid position, she enjoyed the perk of being the first to sign out new arrivals, her name on the top of the sign out card. And with strong legs back then, she was a slick fielding shortstop for "Hal's Gal's", an all-girls softball team. Sandy was a 1966 graduate of Groton Central School and was pleased to celebrate her Golden (50th) Reunion last summer with fellow classmates.

Soon after her graduation Sandy started working at Ithaca College on July 1, 1966. She began in Public Affairs, moving in 1973 to Athletics where she enjoyed working over the years for multiple Athletic Directors, hundreds of coaches and staff and thousands of student-athletes, ending only when the effects of MS forced her to retire on disability in July 2005. In 2008, she was shocked and humbled to receive word that she would be inducted into the Ithaca College Athletics Hall of Fame, the first and so far only non-athlete, coach or administrator to be so honored. It was at Ithaca College where she met her life partner, Guy, and they married June 5, 1976. Her last public appearance was as a guest of Mike Welch at his final Bomber Football Banquet as Head Coach on February 4th, just 10 days before her passing. In addition to her family, IC Athletics was her life.

Sandy is survived by her husband Guy; daughter Megan (Tyler) Wagenet of Ithaca and their children Natalie and Ryan; son John (Katrina) Van Benschoten of Rye Brook, NY and their daughter Olivia; brother Gary (Robin) Rockwell of Charlottesville, VA; sister Karen (Michael) Porter of Cortland, NY; aunt Joyce Stewart of Wellsboro, PA; and uncle Gerald (Joan) Rockwell of Alabaster, AL, as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Sandy and Guy enjoyed traveling, starting with their honeymoon to Aruba in 1976. Once the kids came, travel was to amusement and other parks, then later to Megan and John's various athletic contests. Sandy and Guy were co-presidents of the Fall Creek School PTA during the mid 1980s. They resumed traveling in later life and were able to visit both Alaska and Hawaii. Not without a bit of consternation, they were able to make their last road trip to Nashville in 2016, seeing family and friends along the way. They packed quite a bit into two days, seeing many of the sites that Sandy had longed to see while watching country music on TV.

Guy thanks the many and myriad health professionals who provided care to Sandy, especially her primary care provider, Dr. Elisabeth Cotton and her staff. They knew him based on the sound of his voice. Medical support allowed Sandy and Guy to keep their promise to take care of each other at home, despite recommendations to the contrary. He also wants to recognize their wedding day Maid of Honor, Karen Porter, and Best Man, Michael Puzziferri, who both stood by them from their wedding day until Death they did part.

Friends are invited to join Sandy's family at a Celebration of Sandy's Life on Saturday, May 20, 2017, beginning at 11:00 am at the King Ferry / Treleaven Winery in King Ferry, NY. Additional details will be provided via social media and the Bangs Funeral Home website (http://www.bangsfuneralhome.com).

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a charitable contribution may make donations to: Wonderful Wheelchairs, c/o Lifelong Friends, 119 W. Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850 in memory of Sandy Van B. Wonderful Wheelchairs is a volunteer, nonprofit group that provides wheelchair and other mobility devices to those needing assistance in the Tompkins and surrounding areas.

For those asking what they can do to help, Sandy and Guy ask that you work with your Primary Care Provider to complete a Medical Order of Life-Sustaining Treatment ("MOLST") form while still fully alert and competent. It removes a huge burden from your loved ones in case you are unable to speak for yourself.