Sandra Anne "Sam" "Sandy" Mispel 83, passed away on September 13, 2026, just as she lived—on her own terms in her own home, hitting every high and low note, surrounded by her family, friends, and beloved cats in her final days.
Born on September 28, 1942, to Cecile and Richard Guerin, and was raised with her stepfather Frederick Stillings. Sandra graduated from Saint Joseph’s Regional School in Keene, Our Lady of Monadnock in Jaffrey and Keene State College.
Upon marrying William "Bruce" Mispel in 1960, Sandra enjoyed being a loving wife and mother. An accomplished baker and cook, she was known for her cookies and Whoopi pies, as well as her spaghetti sauce, lovingly made from the veggies she harvested from her garden in Lee, Massachusetts.
Proving you're never too old to accomplish your goals, she received her bachelor’s degree in education at 50, while working full time with students, to improve reading and math skills at Wheelock & Jonathan Daniels Schools in Keene.
She was a sweet singing alto, an amazing seamstress, a creative oil painter, an expert bargain hunter, and an avid reader.
Above all, she was a supportive and legendary grandmother and great-grandmother who never missed a game or performance.
We know heaven is ready for her, that the kitchen finally had an opening… We hope the angels have plenty of cat treats on hand and that they, as her tombstone will remind us: “Don't let the cats out!”
Sandra is survived by her children Wendy Mispel (Robert) John and Douglas Mispel; grandchildren Christopher (Kelly), Genifer, Zackarie John, and Emmalie (Spencer) Bischof; great-grandchildren Robert and Simon John, Logan Allen; and siblings James (Karen) Stillings, Wendy McBain, Brenda Croteau, Patty Frates, and Bonnie Johnson as well as Fred Mispel, David Mispel and Toni Cunningham (Bruce). Sandra was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Bruce.
Most importantly she leaves behind her cherished cats: Sydney, Chester, and Tigger
Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, September 28, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Fletcher Funeral Home (Due to renovations at the Foley Funeral Home), 33 Marlboro Street, Keene.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 29th at 11:00am in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Burial with committal prayers will follow the funeral mass in the Monadnock View Cemetery, Park Avenue, Keene.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests memorial contributions to Monadnock Kitty Rescue and Adoption by phone at 603-532-9444, by email at [email protected], or online at kittyrescuenh.org, or to Helping Hands-4-Paws via their Facebook page, or St. Jude's Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).
