The memorial service for Sandra E. Crannell, 64, who died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 at Indian River Nursing Home in Granville, NY, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Granville Baptist Church. The Rev. James Peterson, pastor will officiate.
Sandra was born Oct. 21, 1943 in Saratoga Springs, NY the daughter of Henry and Josephine (Shoemaker) Toland.
She loved music and was an accomplished musician herself. She played the organ for a number of years at the Christian Missionary alliance Church in Rutland and for the First Baptist Church of Fair Haven. A member of the Granville Baptist church, Sandra sometimes played the organ there as well as offering special music on her accordion. She also played at both Holbrook Adult Home and The Orchard (formerly Hallmark Nursing Center in Granville.
Sandra was an extremely generous human being and exhibited that generosity in her work as a nurse’s aide at the Gill Odd Fellows Home in Ludlow, Vermont, The Orchard in Granville and the Visiting Nurses of Albany. She worked every year gathering clothes for the Fair Haven Concern and in the Granville Baptist church’s yearly rummage giveaway. She was a strong advocate for those who could not stand up for themselves and worked for a time at the Rutland City Rescue Mission.
Her greatest love was the Lord Jesus Christ whom she served till her last breath. Even through a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), she continued to pray for and encourage those around her. With the help of friends she illustrated several children’s books and hoped to see them published to encourage other ALS patients not to give up but continue to be active even in sickness.
Survivors include her parents of Hammond, NY two brothers James and David both of Hammond, two sons Dennis and Gregory Hillier, both of Benson, Vermont, four granddaughters extended family; and dear friends who were loved as family.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the South Glens Falls Marathon Dance Association, a charity that assists people in need in the local area. The Address is South High Marathon Dance ,Attention of Tom Myott , South High, 42 Merritt Rd., South Glens Falls, NY 12803.