Obituary of Sandra Jean Green
Smethport--Sandra Jean (Norman) Green 83, of Smethport passed away Friday, March 15, 2024 at Olean General Hospital, Olean NY.
Sandra was born January 12, 1941 in Kane, PA, the daughter of Russell W. and Linda V. (Johnson) Norman. On July 21, 1962 in Smethport, PA she married Roger W. Green, Jr. who died November 13, 2021.
Sandra was lucky enough to grow up and be surrounded by family in Smethport. Some of her very best friends were her cousins Diane, Cynthia, Johanna, Karen, Bob, Morris, Maribel and more. Sandy and her close friend Kathy Edgar, as well as Carol, would spend time in a cabin below Water Street listening to music on a record player and writing songs, such as “A Dog in the Door Tonight”, which daughters Amy and Diane know the words to to this day. Sandy and Kathy remained lifelong friends. Her sister Carol was not only a sister, but a best friend, always there for her from a young age, sewing clothes for her, looking out for her and later spending holidays and traveling together. She was also close to John and his wife Barb, and they spent many holidays together at their parent’s home on Water Street. Roger also enjoyed spending time with John, talking about hunting and outdoor adventures.
Sandra was a 1958 graduate of Smethport Area High School. After high school, she attended flight attendant training for Eastern Airlines in Miami, FL and then transferred to work in NY, NY to be closer to Roger, who was attending West Point Military Academy in West Point, NY. Rog and Sandy had met years earlier at the ice-skating rink in Smethport when Roger asked Sandy if he could tie her skates for her. They would get together on weekends and for special events at West Point. Sandra’s musical taste was unique, not so interested in what her peers were listening to, but being a huge jazz music fan from a young age. She enjoyed live music and dancing with Roger in clubs such as the Peppermint Lounge in NYC. After their marriage, Sandy traveled with Roger’s assignments to Okinawa, Japan, Germany and many different states – sometimes moving as often as 3 times in a year. Entertaining was a big part of being a military wife, and she did it with style and grace, preparing elaborate meals and desserts.
She will also be remembered locally for operating the Blackberry Inn of Smethport in the late 1980s, owned at that time by her sister Carol and brother-in-law Dwight. She was in charge of decorating the inn, something she excelled at – wallpapering, picking out furnishings, etc. Her father Russell, a builder, was also involved in the family project and they enjoyed many, many good times together during the inn’s restoration. Sandra was an avid bird watcher, accumulating sightings in the many hundreds in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. To her delight, high school friend Betsey Clark was also a bird watcher and they were both stationed in Europe with their military husbands at the same time and were able to get together then and in the States on various occasions. She also enjoyed this hobby later in Smethport with friend and neighbor Carol Freer, walking the back road to Crosby and other spots. She enjoyed cooking, reading, decorating and was gifted artistically, in drawing and painting, as well as sewing and needlework, including counted cross-stitch. She made beautiful clothes for her daughters and grandchildren.
She is survived by two daughters, Amy V. (Richard) Dalton of Smethport and Diane H. (David) Nieratko of Erie, PA, 8 grandchildren and one great grandson; her sister, Carol Carlson of Guilford, CT, her brother John (Barbara) Norman of Clearfield, PA and several dear nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother-in-law.
Sandra will be remembered by those who knew her for her beauty, outside and within, her sense of humor, love for her family and friends, compassion for animals and for her generous spirit. We know she was welcomed into Heaven with loving arms and look forward to the day we will be with her again.
There will be no visitation or service. Private burial will be held with family.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.