Obituary for Sandra Wells (O'Connell)
Sandra Joyce (O’Connell) Wells, 82, of Durham, NH, passed from her earthly to her eternal home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 8, 2023, at Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, NH after battling cancer.
Sandra was born on December 29, 1940, in Tewksbury, MA, the first child of Louis O’Connell and Bertha (Flint) O’Connell. At the age of 6, the family moved to Berwick, ME. She graduated as salutatorian from Berwick High School in 1958 and from the University of New Hampshire in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She taught math at Dover (NH) High School from 1962 to 1970. In addition to teaching, she enjoyed coaching the Dover High cheerleading team.
She married Otho Wells on July 20, 1968, and the two settled in Durham, NH. After retiring from teaching in 1970 to devote herself to homemaking, she had two daughters. After they were grown, she worked as a library aide at Moharimet Elementary School in Madbury, NH until her elderly father needed care. She was a devoted follower of Christ and an active member of Dover Baptist Church since 1968 where she served on the missions committee, taught Sunday School, participated in the senior citizen group, and served in many other ways. Sandra was outgoing and loved talking with anyone; she always had a smile on her face. She was blessed with the gift of hospitality; she and Otho opened their home for meals and overnight stays to countless guests over the years. In addition, she was quick to bring a meal to someone in need, visit a shut-in, write a note of encouragement, or give a helping hand; she was always happy to help wherever there was a need.
Sandra enjoyed bird watching, wildflower identifying, playing board games (especially Scrabble), making puzzles, traveling with her family, and watching the Red Sox and college basketball.
Sandra will always be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, and doting grandmother. She is survived by her husband Otho Wells; daughter Kendra Burke and her husband Aaron and their children Lily and Koa of Hamilton, MA; daughter Vonda Cornell and her husband David of Manchester, NH; and brother Dennis O’Connell and his wife Sharon of Worcester, MA.
Her family would like to thank Cornerstone VNA, Extended Family, and Hyder Family Hospice House for their exceptional and loving care of Sandra these past several weeks and months. In addition, they would like to thank their many friends and neighbors who were always willing and able to help.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, August 18 between the hours of 4pm and 7pm at Wiggin Purdy McCooey Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave, Dover, NH. A Celebration of Life service will take place at Dover Baptist Church, 151 Washington St, Dover, NH on Sunday, August 20 at 4pm.
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that any donations in her name be made to Dover Baptist Church http://www.doverbaptistchurch.org/give or Hyder Family Hospice House https://friendsofhyderfamilyhospicehouse.org/donation. In addition, please consider performing a random act of kindness in Sandra’s honor.
Sandra was born on December 29, 1940, in Tewksbury, MA, the first child of Louis O’Connell and Bertha (Flint) O’Connell. At the age of 6, the family moved to Berwick, ME. She graduated as salutatorian from Berwick High School in 1958 and from the University of New Hampshire in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She taught math at Dover (NH) High School from 1962 to 1970. In addition to teaching, she enjoyed coaching the Dover High cheerleading team.
She married Otho Wells on July 20, 1968, and the two settled in Durham, NH. After retiring from teaching in 1970 to devote herself to homemaking, she had two daughters. After they were grown, she worked as a library aide at Moharimet Elementary School in Madbury, NH until her elderly father needed care. She was a devoted follower of Christ and an active member of Dover Baptist Church since 1968 where she served on the missions committee, taught Sunday School, participated in the senior citizen group, and served in many other ways. Sandra was outgoing and loved talking with anyone; she always had a smile on her face. She was blessed with the gift of hospitality; she and Otho opened their home for meals and overnight stays to countless guests over the years. In addition, she was quick to bring a meal to someone in need, visit a shut-in, write a note of encouragement, or give a helping hand; she was always happy to help wherever there was a need.
Sandra enjoyed bird watching, wildflower identifying, playing board games (especially Scrabble), making puzzles, traveling with her family, and watching the Red Sox and college basketball.
Sandra will always be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, and doting grandmother. She is survived by her husband Otho Wells; daughter Kendra Burke and her husband Aaron and their children Lily and Koa of Hamilton, MA; daughter Vonda Cornell and her husband David of Manchester, NH; and brother Dennis O’Connell and his wife Sharon of Worcester, MA.
Her family would like to thank Cornerstone VNA, Extended Family, and Hyder Family Hospice House for their exceptional and loving care of Sandra these past several weeks and months. In addition, they would like to thank their many friends and neighbors who were always willing and able to help.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, August 18 between the hours of 4pm and 7pm at Wiggin Purdy McCooey Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave, Dover, NH. A Celebration of Life service will take place at Dover Baptist Church, 151 Washington St, Dover, NH on Sunday, August 20 at 4pm.
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that any donations in her name be made to Dover Baptist Church http://www.doverbaptistchurch.org/give or Hyder Family Hospice House https://friendsofhyderfamilyhospicehouse.org/donation. In addition, please consider performing a random act of kindness in Sandra’s honor.