Sandra Jean Salmi (Sandy), 76, of Derry, NH passed away in early January 2026 at home in Derry. Sandy was the daughter of the late Donald and Charlotte (Sives) Smith. She was a true-blue New Englander: born, raised and educated in Derry, graduated from Colby College, where she studied biology and English, and graduated from Lesley University with a master’s degree in education. She was predeceased by her sister Susan C. Smith-Shapiro and is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Dennis Salmi of Derry.
For 33 years Sandy was a Special Education teacher in Nashua. She truly enjoyed teaching, appreciated interacting with special education students, and found it both challenging and rewarding to work with them. Crafting Individual Education Plans, and teaching in makeshift classrooms were her daily fare, and benefited from her patience and creativity. Munchkin, Sandy and Dennis’ peak-a-poo companion for 18 years, was always delighted to see her when she returned home from work, and helped Sandy relax after a busy day.
With her mother Charlotte, Sandy maintained a large flower garden at Sandy and Dennis’ home. Sandy and Charlotte especially enjoyed shopping at area nurseries for unusual flowers to add to their collection. Often during the summer Sandy, Dennis, Charlotte, Susan and Susan’s husband Neil picnicked at Weirs Beach at Lake Winnipesaukee where they swam in the crystal-clear water.
Sandy loved being involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews, and especially family weeks at the Cape, to which she always brought a box full of New Hampshire tomatoes for everyone to enjoy. No trip was complete without a peach pie from the Finnish bakery in West Yarmouth.
Holidays were celebrated with gusto by Sandy. She enjoyed decorating her home for them, and sending cards to family and friends – not just Christmas, but also Thanksgiving, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day and birthdays. Each card included a thoughtful personal message for the recipient. She loved attending craft fairs and found many hand-made gifts at them. She enjoyed baking desserts for all occasions and was well known for her “Goof Balls”. Sandy loved sports, especially NFL football, and was a devoted fan of the Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox.
Sandy and Dennis shared a love of ice cream, and one of their favorite things to do was to get ice cream from Goldenrod’s and eat it while watching the ducks and sailboats at Lake Massabesic.
Sandy will be interred in April at Glenwood Cemetery of Londonderry in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Community Caregivers of Greater Derry; 6 West Broadway, Unit 6; Derry, NH 03038.