Kittery Point, ME- Sandra K. (Barton) Proia, died peacefully, on April 5, 2023, at Bellamy Fields in Dover, NH in the care of Cornerstone VNA Hospice.  She was the head librarian/media specialist at the Portsmouth Middle School for thirty-one years.

Sandy was born in Middletown, NY to Arthur and Inez (Romanelli) Barton. After losing Arthur in the Second World War, Inez married Richard Cox and he became father to Sandra and her brother, Ron. Sandra attended Middletown schools and Orange County Community College, and received her baccalaureate degree at SUNY Plattsburgh, NY.

In 1963, Sandra married Tony, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life. After their son Albert was born, the young family moved to Connecticut. Sandra earned her master's degree in Library Science at Quinnipiac College while Tony worked as a physical therapist at Yale University.  In 1973 they relocated to Kittery Point, ME and made their home at Pepperell Terrace.

A dedicated physical fitness enthusiast, Sandy was a member of the Spinnaker Point Recreation Center in Portsmouth where she cherished her friendships with staff and fellow members.  She enjoyed swimming, running and bicycling.

Sandra and Tony shared a love of the arts and literature.  They attended many Broadway shows and enjoyed a broad palette of music from classical, jazz, and folk to soul and pop!  An avid reader, Sandy pursued a wide range of subjects including local history, biography, and mysteries.  She had a special love of children's literature.

Always outgoing and social, she enjoyed being "out and about", engaging people wherever her errands brought her.  A highlight for her and Tony were April school vacation trips to Nantucket, visits to her son, Albert, on Cape Cod, and the Barton/Cox family vacations at Long Beach Island, NJ every summer.  She was always happy at the beach!

An excellent cook, Sandra liked to preserve family traditions.  She enjoyed preparing recipes handed down from her Italian mother and grandmother.   Family and friends were the fortunate recipients of her culinary endeavors on many special occasions.

Sandra is predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Anthony L. Proia, her parents, and her beloved brother, Ronald Barton.  She is survived by her loving son, the apple of her eye, Albert Proia of Wellfleet, MA., her loving and caring sister-in-law, Judith Barton and her much loved nieces, Elizabeth Barton and Jennifer Barton, all of Arlington, VA.  She will be sorely missed by her friends of many years, Tim Callis and Errol and Terry Thomas.

On Sunday, August 6, from 2-4p a celebration of life gathering will take place; if you would like to attend please RSVP by August 1st via howdybubs@aol.com , at which point you will be given the location and address.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of Bellamy Fields Assisted Living for the care and comfort they provided to Sandra. Care for the Proia family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey & Son Funeral Home.