IN MEMORIAM: Sandra Joan Markel, 78;
Respiratory Therapist Loved Children
MILFORD – Sandra Joan Markel, 78, a respiratory therapist who particularly enjoyed working with children, passed away Nov. 12, 2017.
She was born November 21, 1938, in Oneonta, the daughter of Andrew and Beatrice (Crandall) Sabedra.
Sandy spent her younger years living in Otego and graduated from Otego Central School. She went to college later in life, receiving a nursing degree and becoming a respiratory therapist. Sandy’s favorite jobs were working with children.
She at one time worked for the SUNY Oneonta’s Children’s Center and Pathfinder Village, and was a bus driver for Oneonta City Schools and a substitute teacher at Milford Central School.
She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Charles Markel; children, Howard and Yvonne Porteus of Arlington, Texas, Melonie and Richard Sperry of Otego, Randy and Marie Porteus of Bolton, Mass., Kathleen and Gordon Flanagan of Denver, Colo., Thomas and Susan Markel of Clifton, Va., Charles Markel of Linden, Va., and Lori and Mark Kenyon of Binghamton; grandchildren, Nikki, Megan and Aaron, Matthew and Meghan, Travis and Tracy, Caeleigh, James and Allyson, Sam, Nathaniel, Abby, Ashley, Rachel, Anna, and Erica; great-grandchildren, Liam, Owen, Lillie, and Hunter; her siblings, Ann and Lynn Cairns, Shirley Parsons, Pat and Ken Hughes, Andrea and Bob Strom, Butch Sabedra and Sue Sutherland; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Pete and Bobby.
The funeral service will be 3 p.m. Thursday, November 16, 2017, with the Rev. Sylvia Barrett officiating, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta. The family will be receiving friends prior to the service from 2 to 3 p.m.
Interment at the Hartwick Cemetery will be at a later date.
Sandy was a supporter in giving back to the community. In her honor, donations may be made to the Milford Emergency Squad, PO Box 359, Milford, NY 13807.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com