Sandra L. Longaker

Sandra Jane Lee Longaker, 85, of Cincinnatus, NY, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at her home, while surrounded by her loving family and trusty dog.

Sandra was born in Syracuse, NY on August 18,1939 the daughter of the late Jane Glezen Lee and Robert Olcott Lee. As a graduate of Onondaga Valley Academy and Crouse Irving School of Nursing, she had a long career in the nursing profession and worked in various roles. One of her favorite roles included riding across the Colorado mountains in a helicopter as an emergency flight nurse.

Long after retirement, Sandy continued caregiving by volunteering to make homemade soup and/or administer care to former colleagues, friends and her most favorite nephew, Eric Jurgensen, as they battled cancer.

Sandy served for several years on the Cincinnatus School Board and was active with scout groups, a retired nurses guild, and a literary book club. Along with her husband, Jim, Sandy enjoyed traveling and camping with her family, as well as fishing, canoeing, and hiking across the country - often leaving for a month at a time in their camper trailer. She was very proud of her children and their accomplishments, instilling in them her same strong work ethic and love of literature.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jim Longaker, her four children: Jane (John) Hunter of Homer, Joan Finney of Colorado, Mary (Steve) Eckert-Kemak of Cincinnatus, David (Lisa Valentine) Longaker of Richfield Springs. She also leaves behind her stepchildren, Lorraine (Carlos) Paixao, Laurie (George) Novela, James (Karen) Longaker, Jr., Lance (Remy) Longaker, and Kelly (Chris Whispel) Supley; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Sonya.

A Celebration of Sandy’s Life will be held at the convenience of the family. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Sandy may be directed to the Cincinnatus Fire Department, P.O. Box 427, Cincinnatus, NY 13040.