Sandra “Sandy” (Focer) Whitney

She was born Oct. 1, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to David and Lois (Linkenheimer) Focer, Sandy was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who touched the lives of all who knew her.

In 1975, Sandy married Ralph Whitney and they moved to Chautauqua County, N.Y., where they raised their blended family of five children. They absolutely adored each other and created a wonderful life together for 41 years until Ralph’s death in April 2016. Sandy provided professional catering services for Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua Central High School, Chautauqua Sportsmen’s Club and many others. She also served on the Chautauqua Central School Board.

Sandy greeted everyone she met with a big smile, and whether she’d known you your entire life or she was meeting you for the very first time, you got a great big hug. Everyone was welcome at her kitchen table. Sandy was famous for her cooking and gardening skills. It was a common sight to see complete strangers pull off on the side of the road in front of their house so they could take pictures of her flower gardens in the front yard. She was known far and wide for her amazing culinary skills, and whoever tasted her food can instantly recall a favorite dish or two or three. Her pies were sold out daily by the dozens at Haff Acre Farms during the Summer. Despite all her edible wonders in the kitchen, however, her children eventually banned her from making garlic bread because she always burned it!

Sandy is survived by five children: Robert Knight of Stockholm, Sweden, Michael (Jennifer) Behr of McDonald, Pa., Amy Samuelson of Suffolk, Va., Sherry (Tim) Silcox of Durham, N.C., and Michael Whitney of Austin, Texas; by four grandchildren: Jordan Silcox, Carter Silcox, Sarah Behr and Michael Behr; by siblings: Judith Brodeur, Gerry Chorney, David Focer and Edward Focer; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Whitney; her son-in-law, Steve Samuelson; her parents; and siblings: Gary Focer, Carol Schiedel and Scott Focer.

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