Sandra Maxine Tankoos

The day Sandra Maxine Tankoos passed away, December 21, 2024, at the age of 87, was the Winter solstice–the shortest and darkest day of the year. To those who knew her, Sandy was a radiant light, brightening the world and it is no surprise that the Earth literally was it’s darkest the day she left it. The ripple effects of her endless acts of kindness and charitable service live on. Tzedakah (charity) was very important to her. If you would like to make a donation in her memory, these are three charities that were close to her heart and where she volunteered countless hours:

JARC FL (https://jarcfl.org/donate/)

- Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism: (https://donate.reformjudaism.org/campaign/641937/donate?c_src=RAC-2024-YE&c_src2=RACWebsite-DonateButton )

- Association of Reform Zionists of America: (https://donate.reformjudaism.org/give/222342/#!/donation/checkout )

Sandy will be remembered for caring about people and about Israel. She was a devoted and cherished wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. A creative and intelligent woman, Sandy possessed countless talents and excelled as a leader, entrepreneur, and role model. She inspired many through her remarkable achievements in both the business world and her tireless volunteer work, leaving behind a legacy of strength, kindness, and dedication.

Sandy is survived by her doting husband of 67 years, Kenneth Tankoos; her children, Robert, Gary and Jenine; her children-in-law, Anchalee, Tina, and Michael; her Grandchildren, Samantha, Erica, Justin, Aaron, Hudson, and Mia; and her cat Zion.

Sandra Maxine Rich was born on November 12, 1937 to Stanley and Ethel Rich in East Brooklyn, New York. She was the oldest of three children and the oldest grandchild on both sides of her family. A bright and driven student, Sandy attended PS-159 and was selected for “The Rapid Advance” program, completing 7th and 8th grades in a single year. She was only eleven years old when she began 9th grade. She was accepted to the prestigious Music and Art High School for her piano playing ability where she attended for one year. She then chose to attend high school closer to home, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School. At age 19 she graduated from Queens College in New York City with a degree in Philosophy and Music.

She met her beloved husband Kenneth Tankoos at age 13 when she boldly asked him for a ride on his boat at Lake Hopatcong, N.J. They married on March 17, 1957. Their first house was in Bayside, New York. Later they moved to Roslyn Heights, N.Y. where they lived for nearly 50 years. They retired to Boca Raton, Florida.

Sandy had a remarkable career journey. After college, Sandy attended court reporting school. She finished in record speed which she attributed to her piano skills translating to quickness on the stenotype machine keyboard. She worked as a court reporter until she had her first child. After spending 18 months as a stay-at-home mom, she returned to academia earning a master's degree in Spanish Literature and teaching high school Spanish for 11 years. A gifted educator, she left an indelible mark on her students, some of whom sought her out decades later on social media to express their gratitude.

After earning a tenured teaching position, Sandy pivoted back to court reporting, first as an instructor and later as head of the program. Always a trailblazer, she took the leap to launch her own court reporting agency, which she grew from a one-woman operation to two thriving businesses with 75 employees by the time she retired 28 years later. She became a giant in the court reporting Industry and a role model for women in business blending her experiences as a teacher and mother into her management style. She treated her staff like family. In 2006 she sold Tankoos Reporting Company, Inc. and Ar-Ti Recording, Inc. Her employees organized a surprise retirement gala in her honor, a testament to the profound impact she had on those who worked alongside her.

A lifelong advocate for social justice and Jewish values, Sandy dedicated countless hours to volunteerism, often in a leadership role. She served on the boards in her local community for The League of Woman Voters, the National Organization for Women, and Planned Parenthood. Her dedication to Jewish causes was unparalleled: Sandy served as a Vice President of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) and represented ARZA on the AZM board for many years. Additionally, Sandy served on the boards of the Union for Reform Judaism, the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C. where she was a member and co-chair of the Israel and World Jewry Taskforce. She served as President of Temple Sinai of Roslyn, New York where after countless hours of devotion she is surely a permanent part of the congregation’s soul. In Florida, she volunteered for JARC Florida where she taught conversational Spanish to adults with developmental disabilities and where she served as Vice President of Fund Development.

Always an innovator, in her “retirement” she created TOS50.com, a website that provided an online community for people on the other side of fifty. The site featured videos, interviews, and articles on a wide array of topics from finance to food to fitness.

Sandy was also the author of two books. Ettie and The Evil Eye, a young adult novel inspired by the stories of her mother’s childhood, and Two Jews=Three Shuls, a murder mystery reflecting her wit and creativity.

Despite her packed schedule, Sandy always prioritized her family and friends, jumping in to help whenever she saw a need. She was the heart of every gathering, hosting holiday celebrations and sharing cherished stories of her large extended family, which included 20 aunts and uncles and 50 first cousins. Her warmth, intelligence, and generosity left an indelible mark on everyone she met.

Sandy’s light may no longer shine in this world, but its glow lives on in the countless lives she touched, the family she cherished, and the causes she championed.

A funeral service for Sandra was held at the Star of David Memorial Chapel, located at 7701 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, Florida, 33068, on December 23, 2024, from 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm.

Sandra's final resting place will be in the Garden of Aaron II, Lot 2859, at the Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Chapel.