Sandra L. Burgoyne

Sandra (Boosahda) Burgoyne, 67, of Worcester, MA, passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at home.

In the hours following her passing, the moon, in its fullest form, came closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright, and was dubbed a supermoon. Since it was the second full moon in a month's time, Wednesday night's moon was also classified as a blue moon - which is so very fitting since Sandie was a once in a blue moon kind of gal.

Sandie was as authentic as they come; if her words didn't tell you exactly what was on her mind, her face would. She had a low tolerance for nonsense and a high capacity for love. She held space in a perfect juxtaposition of strong and independent yet loving and reliable. She was beautiful and fierce, deeply respected and loved endlessly. She will be missed by multitudes.

She was the devoted wife of the late Frederick J. Burgoyne and beloved mother of Andrew Burgoyne and his wife Becky, and Amanda Burgoyne Khoshaba and her husband Sonny; cherished grandmother of Avery, Connor, Evelyn, Anthony, Daniel, and Emilia; and a loving Auntie to 19 nieces and nephews and great-Auntie to soon-to-be 26 (she met one great-nephew at two weeks old just days before she passed). She also leaves her sisters, Stephanie Boosahda, Laurie Boosahda, Lisa Flaherty, and Kimberly Joyce. Along with her husband, Sandra was predeceased by her parents, Leo and Emily (Swide) Boosahda, and her baby sister, Kristen Boosahda.

Sandie worked in the Chief's office at the Worcester Police Department for over two decades. She considered her colleagues an extension of her family and they did as well. There was never a city festival nor construction detail where an officer wouldn't wave and smile or stop to talk to Sandie or her immediate family, even as strangers who recognized us from the pictures on her desk.

Sandie enjoyed gardening and reading in her spare time, but her greatest joy was found in being surrounded by others. She loved hosting parties and having a full house, right up until the time of her passing. She was a fun-loving mother, grandmother, and neighbor who attended every community and Church event she could as well as her grandchildren’s sporting events. She simply loved people and affectionately called everyone “Honey."

She was a lifelong friend to many and an active member of St. George Orthodox Cathedral. She was a past president of the Women's Club, a longtime choir member, and a reliable helper in the Church kitchen. The family asks for donations to her beloved St George in lieu of flowers.

Calling hours will be Thursday, September 7, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  Sandra’s Funeral Mass will be held on the same day as the Nativity of the Theotokos,  i.e. the birthday of the most revered mother of all time, St. Mary, on Friday, September 8, at 11:00 am at Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, followed by interment in Hope Cemetery, 119 Webster Street, Worcester.

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