Sandra Strouse Gaylord

Sandra will be forever remembered for her love of family, friends, and embracing an active lifestyle well into her eighties. She was guided by her mantras: “Life is not a dress rehearsal,” and “Keep on keeping on.” She loved riding horses, playing field hockey and figure skating in her youth, as well as skiing, playing tennis, and hiking in Colorado in her later years.

Sandy graduated from the Harrisburg Academy, and Skidmore College with a degree in Physical Education. She volunteered with the Junior League of Harrisburg, and taught elementary physical education in the Mechanicsburg School District, socializing with many lifelong friends in the Harrisburg area.

She ultimately relocated to Colorado, where family and friends were always welcome to visit, ski, and hike with Sandy and her husband, Tom Gaylord. Together, Sandy and Tom created lasting memories, not just for themselves, but for the many people they touched along their journey together: skiing with the “Over the Hill Gang” and with other visiting friends, hiking the back trails in and around Vail Mountain, and pleasing small children over the Christmas holidays in their roles as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, just to name a few.

Sandy’s family and extended family will remember and be forever grateful for Sandy’s legacy of encouragement to actively embrace life, and to live each day to the fullest.

Sandy is survived by her son, Bruce Clark Hower, and daughters, Kimberly Jo Butler and Megan Hower Buffington, as well as two stepdaughters: Katie Gilson and Liz Schutt, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.