Sandra J. (Spadea) Bishop age 78 passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 25, after a 5 1/2 year courageous battle with bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma). Sandy was a beloved wife, devoted mother, proud grandmother, and cherished friend. She was a resident of North Easton, MA for 26 years and was formerly of Brockton, MA. Beloved wife of Wayne A. Bishop for 55 years. Born on November 28, 1942 in Brockton. Daughter of the late Joseph R. and Gladys J. Spadea of West Bridgewater.
Loving Mother of Wayne A. Bishop Jr. and his wife Dr. Cherie Bishop of Wellesley, MA; and Wendy Bishop Wiedenmann and her husband Marc Wiedenmann of Hopkinton, MA. Devoted Nana of Olivia and Chloe Wiedenmann of Hopkinton MA; and Hathaway Bishop of Wellesley, MA. Sister of Joseph Spadea, Jr. and his wife Frances of East Falmouth; Patricia Leonard of South Easton; William Spadea and his wife Kathy of Bridgewater; Karen and her husband Joseph McCoy of Raynham; James Spadea and his wife Suzanne of West Bridgewater; and the late John Spadea. Sister-in-law Janice Spadea and husband Robert of Plymouth. Adored Aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Sandy attended Brockton Public Schools through the 8th Grade and graduated from West Bridgewater High School in 1960. She was a graduate of Fisher College in Boston with a degree in Legal Studies. She was the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Marketing of Adage Corporation in Cambridge.
Sandy will be remembered for her strength and courage overcoming cancer on three separate occasions, with the first time battling breast cancer in 1983. She dedicated her entire life as a volunteer giving back to countless civic and charitable organizations. Some of these included:
Past President of PM Club of Brockton
Past President of Women’s Club of Brockton
Past President of Sons of Italy, Christopher Columbus Lodge, and Anita Garibaldi Lodge of Brockton.
Past President of Professional Women’s Club of Boston.
Past President of Italian Women’s Club of Brockton.
Evening Division Membership Director of the Massachusetts Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Member of Brockton Garden Club and Easton Garden Club and Brockton Historical Society.
Sandy recognized the importance of women’s leadership. She raised tens of thousands of dollars for scholarship money through these various organizations. She also spoke at and organized various leadership conferences through the years.
Sandy was a devout Catholic and was a woman of strong faith. She was actively involved in her church as a CCD Teacher and First Communion Coordinator for 22 years, and was a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Brockton. Sandy was also a member of the Twentieth Century Catholic Club of Brockton. She also served on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council with Cardinal Sean O’Malley.
Sandy loved to travel. With her husband Wayne, Sandy traveled the world including visiting countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. One of Sandy’s favorite destinations was traveling through Italy many times with her family and friends. She was proud to say that she went on 75 different cruises around the world. Her children, their spouses and her granddaughters always looked forward to their trips with Nana and Papa.
Sandy was a gracious hostess, welcoming family and friends to many celebrations in her lovely home. She and her husband Wayne opened their home for Easton Garden Club Tours. Sandy loved to decorate especially around the holidays. At Christmas time, she opened her home for the Easton Garden Club’s holiday house tour.
Sandy was a member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the Landscape Design Council of Massachusetts and also earned her certification in Landscape Design.
Sandy was an active patron of the theatre and arts as an avid supporter and member of Huntington Theatre, where she attended monthly productions for more than 30 years. She was also a longtime supporter of the Boston Museum of Science, New England Aquarium and Museum of Fine Arts. Sandy also supported the Boston Pops. It was a well-loved annual tradition for her family to attend the Holiday Pops.
For the past 15 years, Sandy and her family spent their summers on Buttermilk Bay in Buzzards Bay at their beach house. Family was everything to Sandy and her husband Wayne. They hosted an annual July 4th cookout to gather the entire extended family. Everyone enjoyed watching the fireworks over the water in front of their house each year.
Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont St. (rte. 123) Brockton on Tuesday March 30, 2021 from 4-8pm. Funeral Mass Wednesday in Our Lady of Lourdes Church 433 West Street, Brockton at 10:30am. Burial will be private due to COVID restrictions.
Masks must be worn and social distancing observed at the funeral home and church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Brigham and Women's Hospital to support the Palliative Care Fund in support of the Inpatient Palliative Care Unit team, BWH Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116. Donate Here
See Live Stream of funeral Here.