Sandra Lee (Trehar) Staley passed away peacefully on June 26, 2017 in Cary, NC surrounded by her loving family.  

Dignity. Grace. Unconditional Love.  

In her 74 years, Sandra set an example for those around her. She showed everyone the true meaning of selflessness, always putting the needs of others, especially her husband, children, and grandchildren before her own.  

Sandra was born in 1943 in Ambridge, PA, the first daughter of Clifford and Katherine Trehar (Dickson).  

She attended Clarion State College in Clarion, PA and graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

It was there that she first met the love of her life, Lewis Lowell Staley, of Clarion, PA. 

After college, she spent a short time teaching high school Spanish and English and spent the next five decades correcting Lewis’ grammar!

Sandra and Lewis were married in 1966 and called many places home over their 52 years of marriage — Oak Ridge, TN, Saratoga Springs, NY, Dryden, NY, Endicott, NY, Williamsville, NY, Sarasota, FL, and Cary, NC.

In addition to rearing her four children, Sandra taught English as a second language for international employees of IBM and their families — giving her close friends from all over the world.  

She was a frequent substitute teacher in the Maine-Endwell and Williamsville School Districts – sometimes holding class for her own children, who were especially well-behaved on those days!

Despite her busy schedule, she never missed a sporting event for her children and always had a home-cooked meal on the table.  

Sandra had the ability to make great friends wherever she lived and spent much of her time bringing people together. Whether it was sports fundraisers, community event planning, tailgates, or Christmas parties, she was the “glue” that kept family and friends together.

In addition to her husband Lewis, Sandra leaves four children — Kathy and husband Michael Maguire of Rumson, NJ, Lori and husband Kevin Jones of Cary, NC, Kelly and husband Brett Notine of Fair Haven, NJ, Joe and wife Georgina Staley of Pittsburgh, PA.  She also leaves behind nine beautiful grandchildren — Morgan Maguire, Madison Maguire, Makenna Maguire, Meadow Maguire, Maverick Maguire, Gavin Jones, Gannon Jones, Sylvie Notine, and Lindsay Notine.  She also leaves her brothers and sister — William Trehar, Clifford Trehar, and Katherine Spence.

There are no words that can describe how beautiful Sandra was on the inside and out.

We will deeply miss our wife, Mom, Grandma, sister, Aunt, and dear friend.

She made a lasting impression on the lives of those who knew her and will remain in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Sandra Staley to one of the following organizations:

Brain Support Network (www.brainsupportnetwork.org)

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) (www.TheAFTD.org) (Please designate your contribution to “Research” of “Drug Discovery”).

Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion with services to follow at 1p.m.

Interment will follow at the Cedarview Memorial Park in Strattanville.

Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.rvburnsfuneralhome.com.