Sandra F. Tall

The beloved Sandra (Gibber) Tall of Leominster, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness. Born in Boston, Sandy was the daughter of Dora (Richman) and Harry Gibber. She graduated from the Jeremiah E. Burke School with honors and received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Education from State Teacher’s College at Boston, which later became the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Shortly after graduation, on June 23, 1957, Sandy Gibber married her soulmate and life partner, Alvan Tall, whom she met on Nantasket Beach a year earlier. A match made in Heaven, Al and Sandy celebrated their 60th anniversary three weeks before Al’s passing in July 2017.

Sandy’s natural, loving, nurturing qualities made her a wonderful teacher. She taught second grade in Lunenburg, MA, and subsequently kindergarten and nursery school at Congregation Agudas Achim in Leominster. She also served as Director of the Head Start Program in Lancaster, MA for several years.

In 1965, Al, who had been Director of Personnel at Foster Grant in Leominster, started his own plastics manufacturing company, Alpha Rho, Inc. The business could not have been a success without the commitment, devotion, and tireless work that Sandy gave to the business and support she offered to her husband. She was secretary, bookkeeper, and office manager at Alpha Rho for over 50 years, from the company’s inception until she retired to care for her husband in 2013. She was also active in synagogue life as a member of Congregation Agudas Achim in Leominster for many years before she and Al became members of Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester. She was a lifetime member of Hadassah.

Sandy was most of all proud of being a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be forever missed by her loving son Jeffrey and his wife Rebecca, their children Mitchell, Caleb, and Ilana, her adoring daughter Deborah (Tall) Namiot and her husband Andrew, their children, Jake and Bennett, and son David, his wife Sandy and their children Shira, Norman, and Evan. Sandy was also the loving sister to Bea Berkowitz and sister-in-law to Bud Berkowitz, Dorothy and Simon Ozer, and Albert Klebanow who all predeceased her. She leaves her dear sister-in-law Edna Klebanow of Jerusalem. She was also loving Aunt Sooky to her nieces and nephews. Deepest, heartfelt love to Michelle Hammond who became family and offered much friendship, love, and companionship over these past few years. Sometimes paths are meant to intersect, and we are forever grateful for the kindness and devotion given to both Al and Sandy. Deep gratitude to the team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Stoneman 8 for your phenomenal care and HealthAlliance Home Health & Hospice for the tender, compassionate care so graciously given to Sandy and our family.

The world was a brighter, softer, gentler place because Sandy was in it. Sandy knew the power of words and shared them throughout her life, “Do good, it always comes back to you,” “The days are long, but the years are short,” “It is what it is – we’ll do what we have to do,” “Don’t worry,” and “Don’t cry over anything that can’t cry over you.” Sandy always said a good name is worth more than gold. Sandy left us just as she lived her beautiful life, standing Tall, with style, grace, and beauty.

May her name and memory and all that she bestowed upon us be an enduring blessing. She leaves each one of us with gifts that we will treasure forever. May they abide within us and continue to make us stronger, kinder, and all the more beautiful. May what we do always bring honor to her memory.

Donations in Sandy’s name and memory may be made to: Buddy Dog Humane Society, Inc. P.O. Box 296 Sudbury, MA 01776 www.buddydoghs.com or Hebrew SeniorLife c/o Development Department 1200 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131 www.hebrewseniorlife.org/TributeGift

Services have been held.