Alexandra “Sandy” Linen Halsey enjoyed her final summer day on September 7, 2016 and died peacefully with her family by her side in Mystic, CT. She demonstrated grit and grace in her two-year battle with cancer. Her illness never diminished her selflessness or passion for life. Her desire to experience one more summer with her family and friends is a testament to her determination and love of life. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years, Anthony P. Halsey.
Sandy was born on December 14, 1934 in West Orange, NJ to Mary Barron Linen and John Schuyler Linen. She was the third of four daughters. Sandy attended high school at The Beard School in Morristown, NJ, where she later served on the board. She graduated from Skidmore College in 1956 and later served as a class agent, class president, and reunion chair and received the Outstanding Service Award for her many ways of giving back to her alma mater. Sandy met her husband Tony Halsey after college while working for Oxford University Press. Sandy and Tony were married in 1957 and had four children, Wendy, Linda, Toby, and Bill while living in Summit, NJ. Sandy was involved in many volunteer activities while living in Summit: the Summit Speech School where she served as President of the Board, Junior League of Summit, and the Summit Garden Club while also raising four children. In 1985, Sandy and Tony moved from Summit to Mystic, CT where she continued her volunteer services at Lyman Allyn Art Museum, Mystic Seaport, Mystic Garden Club, Mystic Art Association, and Mystic Congregational Church. She loved spending time in her garden, playing golf, walking her dog, sailing, traveling, and being with her family and friends. She also loved to paint, play the piano, and make cookies with her grandchildren.
Sandy was most of all, a loving and generous person, even through her sickness. She loved to laugh, a laugh that started as a chuckle, but grew with every breath and was so infectious that many people had to get up and leave her presence just to catch their breath. She is survived by her four children who will miss her dearly, Wendy Halsey of Noank, CT., Linda Halsey Bonadies and her husband, Anthony of Hamden, CT., Anthony P. Halsey Jr. and his wife, Courtney Moore, of Mystic, CT., and William Halsey and his wife, Rebecca of Essex, CT. Gigi is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Dana Halsey, Augie Bonadies, Eli Bonadies, Fran Bonadies, Hannah Halsey, Peter Halsey and Alexandra Halsey.
The Halsey family would like to thank her extended family and friends for their consistent and loving support of our mom throughout her life and especially during her illness. We would also like to thank Sandy’s caregivers for providing quality and compassionate care for the last year of her life. Sandy loved you like family and we always knew that she was in good hands when we could not be with her. It is because of your care and love for her, that we were able to spend more time with her.
A celebration of Sandy’s life and love will be held at the Mystic Congregational Church at 3:00 p.m. on September 23, 2016, followed by a reception at Masons Island Yacht Club.
In lieu of flowers, please be generous with your kindness and compassion toward others and always seek to find opportunities to laugh with your family and friends. Individuals wishing to donate a monetary gift in memory of Sandy, may do so to the Mystic Art Association or the Mystic Seaport.
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