Sandra “Sandy” Carmella Stanz

She was born October 17, 1946, in Jamestown, NY to Joseph and Saintie Smeraldo Mignoli where she lived happily for the first 63 years of her life.

Following high school graduation, Sandy attended beauty school and was known by her daughters as the perfect perm-giver. She spent many of her years ensuring folks at Tanglewood Manor were made to feel beautiful. Sandy also bartended and waitressed at ‘The Place’ acting as her brother, Joe Bongo’s, righthand woman during all the years that he owned the bar. All- the-while she did an exceptional job raising the best family that her children could imagine!

A life filled with love and warmth enveloped Sandy’s soul. She adored fulfilling her calling as a Nana, equally as much as she loved being a mother. It could be argued, even slightly more! She was fully present in body, heart, and mind at the birth of all of her grandchildren, save one. Only a global pandemic was able to stop her from attending the birth of her youngest granddaughter.

Exemplifying her love for her children, she was active in the PTA for over a decade, knowing every teacher, and rarely missing an event. A sideline supporter of sports games and recitals alike, she proudly drove the family’s “Uber” for many years. Vibrant laughing frequently poured out of Sandy. Sometimes, at the most inopportune moments! Priding herself as a heart-felt gift giver, she would have a new game or toy for her grandchildren whenever they would come for a visit. More accurately, she could have been considered the perfect gift “buyer,” as she would always have a great gift ready to give the grandchildren when they came to visit but would often forget where she hid it! As each school year approached, her children were reminded that she truly was the “Queen of Layaway.”

Sandy’s compassionate spirit overflowed through her crafting and baking skills. She made memorable and comforting blankets for others while ensuring all of her children’s Halloween and theatrical costume dreams came to life, through her incredible skills in sewing, crocheting, and glue gunning! Her homemade dinners, desserts, blueberry muffins, and Christmas cookies will forever be savored through reminiscent memories.

When Sandy carved out time for herself, she treasured her games of Dice and Canasta. She found a large amount of comfort in wrapping up in her Hallmark blanket with a cup of hot chocolate, watching a Hallmark movie! This would often motivate her to decorate the entire house for each and every holiday for the family to enjoy. It was usually difficult for her to find time to enjoy such moments alone, but she truly found pleasure in the organization of endless functions for each member of the family.

Sandy will be deeply missed by her precious love, John Stanz, whom she married October 23, 1976. She also leaves behind seven children: Lisa Destro of Hamburg; Stacy nee Destro (Scott) Waite of Hamburg; Amy nee Destro (Michael) Pavlovich of Hamburg; Tara (John) Archfield of Mechanicsburg, PA; Johnny (Karin) Stanz of Hamburg; Cassie (Jason) Stronz of Jamestown; Joseph (Dominica) Stanz of Hamburg; two stepchildren: Michael (Tina) Stanz of Warren, PA; and Christy (Ron) Quinter of Fairfax Station, VA; fifteen grandchildren: Lucas, Sarah, and Gavin Waite; Joshua and Grace Pavlovich; Aubrey, JT, Austin, and Preston Archfield; Charlotte Stanz; Lyla and Evelyn Stronz; and Joey, Rori, and Addy Stanz; five step-grandchildren: Taylor, Tanner, and Marielle Stanz; and Bradley and Riley Quinter; a great-granddaughter: Peyton Stanz; and a sister-in-law: Connie Mignoli of Jamestown.

Besides her parents, Sandy was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph “Joe Bongo” Mignoli. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00am Tuesday August 13, 2024, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Jamestown, NY. The Rev. Paul Seil of The UB Newman Center, formerly of St. Bernadette’s, will be celebrant. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4 – 8pm Monday, August 12, 2024, in the Lind Funeral Home of Jamestown, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14227, or to The Parkinson’s Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Ste 1509, New York, NY 10018.

To leave a condolence, please visit lindfuneral home.com.