Sandra L. “Sandy” Powers

SHELBURNE FALLS, MA - Sandra L. “Sandy” (Fortin) Powers, of Wilmington, VT, died on Friday, October 24, at the home of her daughter Stephanie, just five days after being diagnosed with cancer.
Born in Brockton on September 16, 1942, Sandy was the only child of Raymond G. “Pete” and Cora V. (McKenney) Fortin, of Avon. She attended Avon schools and Catherine Laboure School of Nursing, where she met the love of her life, John “Jack” Powers. They married in 1963, raised three daughters - Laurie-Ann, Jacqueline, and Stephanie - and built a home filled with laughter, music, and family gatherings. Sandy’s daughters were her greatest pride and joy. Her love for them was deep and unwavering.
In 1972, she earned her LPN degree and spent over 25 years caring for residents at Hollywell Nursing Home in Randolph. Her kindness and humor touched everyone she met. After retiring, Sandy and Jack settled in Wilmington, VT - their happy place and the heart of four generations of treasured family memories. 
She was predeceased by her parents and by Jack, who died in June 2025. She leaves behind her daughters Laurie (Fitz) Fitzpatrick, Jackie (Tommy) Williams, and Stephanie Powers; grandsons Liam and Sam Fisher; many nieces and nephews; and her loyal Shih Tzu, Willow, who now enjoys life in northern Vermont with Laurie.
Special thanks to the Pioneer Valley Hospice for their care and kindness. Per Sandy’s wishes, a private family memorial will be held. Her daughters will scatter their parents’ ashes at a pond near her childhood home then, as she insisted, go for a swim.
“A mother holds her children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.”