Obituary of Sandra L. Cannistra

Sandra L. Cannistra, 77, of Poughkeepsie, NY passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center following a long battle with cancer. Sandra was born in Englewood, NJ on April 20, 1942 to Samuel and Charlotte MacLachlan. On May 20, 1962, she married Nicholas E. Cannistra, Sr. in Tuckahoe, NY.
A local Town of Poughkeepsie resident since 1972, Sandra worked as a receptionist and bookkeeper in the healthcare industry for many years after being a hard working stay-at-home mom raising her three children. "Sandy" loved to sew and knit; and was truly creative with her craft. She would frequently knit hats for her grandchildren, friends, and soldiers who were at war. Her greatest accomplishments and pride were her children and grandchildren whom she loved and laughed with daily.
Sandra is survived by her mother, Charlotte E. MacLachlan of Bronxville, NY, daughter, Karen E. Rugar of Gardiner, NY, son, Nicholas E. Cannistra, Jr. and wife Sonja, grandson, Nevin, of Pine Bush, NY, and son, Robert M. Cannistra and his wife Kara, grandsons, Luca, Rylan, and Nico, of LaGrange, NY, sister, Audrey Raabe, and her husband, William, brother, Alexander MacLachlan, and his wife Judith, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Nicholas on May 22, 2013, and her son-in-law David Rugar. 
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2020 from 1:00 - 4:00pm at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 55 Wilbur Blvd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 immediately followed by a funeral service at 4:00pm. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Gifts, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 55 Wilbur Blvd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603