Sandra Mae (Brannigan) Van Oort

Princetown- At final rest, Sandra Mae Brannigan Van Oort, on the 12th ofJanuary 2023, age 85 years. She was born on the 12th of October, 1937 to William Owen Brannigan Sr. and his wife, Anne Marion Moxhan Brannigan in Stamford, Delaware County NY. Before her family moved to Schenectady, her father owned and operated East End Garage in Jefferson, NY. She attended Schenectady city schools, completing her education at Mt. Pleasant High school, graduating with the class of 1956. While at Mont Pleasant, Sandra was a member of the senior choir and the All City Choir, which explains the collection of musical instruments at the home she shared with her family, later in life. After graduation, she was employed in the office of Dr. Abram Hubbell, as his receptionist. After her sons became of school age, she returned to work as a data entry clerk, for Bank of America in Menands. On the 5th of May, 1957, she married her husband, John Peter Van Oort in the late Mariaville Presbyterian Church. This church became a component of the current Christ Church of the Hills, at Rynex Corners. She and John served several terms as a Congregation Elder and Clerk of session, respectively. Sandra was a Deaconess for many years, retiring as Chairwoman. In their spare time, Sandra and John assisted in the founding at the Plotterkill Volunteer Fire Co. at Rynex Corners. Sandra became, by default, Chef de Cuisine of the annual firemen's BBQ at Plotterkill, each August. This position she held for many years. Her other main hobbies included voraciously reading, needlework and the assisting in the operation of the family’s beef cattle farm for some 25 years. She was predeceased by her parents, her step mother, Billie Jean Weatherwax Brannigan and her younger sons, David Keith Van Oort (2005) and James Peter Van Oort (2020) and her nephew, Michael William Brannigan (1978). Survivors include her beloved husband of 65+ years, John. Also, her eldest son, Daniel Mark Van Oort, her elder brother, William Owen Brannigan Jr., her sister- in-law, Alice Brannigan, sister in law, Phyllis Fink Brannigan, her step sister, Melanie Brannigan Stockman, her step brother, Sean Michael Brannigan, her niece, Catherine Mae Brannigan and her husband Dr. Jay Berenstein and her nephew Steven Brannigan. Also, her nephew Douglas Matin Van Oort and her niece, Dawn Van Oort Holley and her niece Deborah Van Oort McGarry. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 6 – 8 pm at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave. Funeral services will begin on Thursday, 10 am at Christ Church of the Hills, 4809 Mariaville Rd. Memorial contributions may be made to the Plotterkill Fire Co. 3985 Putnam Road Schenectady, NY 12306 or to Christ Church of the Hills Presbyterian Church 4809 Mariaville Road, Schenectady, NY 12306. It is requested that flowers be restricted to members of the family.