Sandra “Sandy” Winter was born in Mamaroneck, New York, in 1949, the daughter of Elisa Perna and Santo Quadrini, who immigrated to the United States from Arpino, Italy. Proud of her Italian heritage, Sandy carried with her a love of family, food, music, and bringing people together throughout her life.

Sandy attended SUNY Cortland, where she majored in Spanish. In her younger years, she enjoyed playing basketball and the accordion, beginning a lifelong appreciation for both sports and music. Her love of sports continued throughout her life, especially when it came to watching her grandchildren play. She was one of their biggest fans, always cheering them on from the sidelines and taking great pride in their accomplishments.

She shared more than 50 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Joseph Winter. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, adventure, and countless happy memories. After growing up in Mamaroneck, Sandy and Joe made their homes in Rye, New York, and Danbury, Connecticut, before spending many years in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Nearly 30 years ago, they settled in Kittery, Maine, where they became part of the community and made many lasting friendships. Sandy had a fantastic sense of humor, loved to joke around, and never missed an opportunity for a good laugh. She especially appreciated Joe's wonderfully quirky and sometimes offbeat sense of humor, which kept her laughing throughout their years together. Their shared love of laughter was one of the many things that made their relationship so special. Their marriage was a true partnership, filled with love, friendship, and deep devotion. In recent years, Sandy became Joe's dedicated caregiver, lovingly supporting him and making sure they continued to enjoy life together.

After spending several years at home raising her two daughters, Sandy began a successful career as a relocation manager with MSI Mobility Services, where she worked for more than 30 years. She genuinely loved her work and took pride in helping others navigate important transitions in their lives. Just as meaningful were the many close friendships she developed with colleagues over the years.

Music was a constant source of happiness in Sandy's life. She loved attending concerts and sharing live music with family and friends. Whether enjoying a summer evening at Prescott Park, a performance at the Kittery Community Center, or a show at The Press Room, she was happiest surrounded by good music, good friends, and plenty of laughter. She developed a wonderful circle of friends in her community who shared these passions and brought so much joy to her life.

Above all, Sandy treasured her family. She maintained close ties with her extended Quadrini family, including her many cousins, and deeply valued the relationships, memories, and traditions they shared. She especially cherished her four grandchildren, Elias, Sonia, Josie, and Valerie, who lovingly knew her as Oma. She embraced her role as a grandmother wholeheartedly, spending as much time with them as possible and taking enormous pride in their lives and accomplishments. Sandy and Joe were familiar faces on the sidelines of sporting events, in the audience at performances, and at countless school and family activities, always cheering them on. To her grandchildren, she was more than Oma—she was their beloved Super Oma, an ever-present source of love, encouragement, laughter, and support.

Sandy also expressed her love through cooking and gathering people around the table. Her chicken parmesan and other Italian specialties were family favorites, along with a much-loved German potato salad recipe passed down from Joe's mother. She loved preparing meals for family and friends, and there was always room for one more at the table.

Outgoing, warm, and genuinely interested in others, Sandy had a gift for striking up a conversation wherever she went. She made connections easily, treated everyone with kindness, and often left people smiling. Her wonderful sense of humor and friendly nature made her someone people naturally gravitated toward. Even in her final months, she formed meaningful relationships with the caregivers who helped her, leaving a lasting impression through her warmth, humor, and appreciation.

Sandy is survived by her devoted husband, Joseph Winter; her sister, Annamarie Quadrini; her daughters, Elisa Winter Holben and Victoria Ring; her son-in-law, Brandon Holben; and her four cherished grandchildren, Elias Holben, Sonia Holben, Josie Ring, and Valerie Ring.

Although Sandy left us far too soon, she lived a life rich with love, laughter, friendship, and countless moments of joy. She will be remembered for her generous spirit, her quick wit, her love of music, her devotion to family, and her remarkable ability to make friends wherever she went.

Most of all, she will be remembered as a loving wife, sister, mother, friend, and Super Oma. We are forever grateful for the life we shared with her, the laughter she brought us, and the wonderful memories that will live on in our hearts.

Her laughter, love, and spirit will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

A celebration of Sandy's life will be planned for a later date, bringing together family and friends to honor her love of music, laughter, and a good time—just the way she would have wanted it. Details will be shared as plans are finalized.