It is with great sadness and loss that our beloved wife and mother Jewell K. Sandstrom passed away on February 15, 2024. Her passing was sudden, peaceful and without pain.
Jewell was born on August 29, 1934 in Niagara Falls, New York, to her Parents, Joseph and Beatrice Ott. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Alicia, in 2017.
She is survived by her loving husband, Theodore (Ted) and her daughter Christine Sandstrom – Purzycki and her grandson, Michael, who adored her.
She was a great talent and a wonderful person who was liked by everyone who knew her. As a singer, she had no peer. Her soprano voice brought great joy and even tears to all who were fortunate to hear her sing. Her accomplishments were many, including, as a 16 year old and 18 year old, was being a soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, having the leads in the Brandywiners’ shows Kismet and Plain and Fancy. She also had the lead in Naughty Marietta at the Wilmington Play House.She sang many solos in church choirs for 70 years. The most notable song was O’ Holy Night.
Jewell studied voice with American Theater Wing in New York City desiring to sing opera. She traveled with the USO and sang with them when they went to Thule, Greenland, where she met her husband, Theodore. They were married in Buffalo in 1956 and enjoyed many years together.
She loved flowers, was a skillful card player, liked crossword puzzles, enjoyed painting and traveling to almost every state in the US and foreign countries. She even sang on the cruise ship, the S.S. Stockholm
A viewing will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington DE. 19808. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday February 24, 2024 at 11:00 am. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707 where friends and family may call from 10:30 – 11:00am. Burial at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery will be held privately.
She will always be missed and will never, never be forgotten. Flowers are welcome.
To send condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
