Sande E. Stratton

Sande E. Stratton 60, of Stonington, CT passed away on March 8, 2011 at YNHH after a short illness. She was born in New Haven, CT on September 19, 1950 to the late Helen Sheehan Stratton and John R. Stratton. She was predeceased by her brother Paul Stratton.

She attended SCSU and UCONN and was very proud to have completed her education allowing her the honor of achieving her PhD. She began her teaching experience in Gallup, New Mexico in the Gallup McKinley County Public School System at the Navajo Elementary School. She taught there from September 1972 to May 1985.

She was employed in West Hartford School System, West Hartford, CT from 1985 to 1997. She was a teacher at the King Philip Elementary school from 1985 to 1986. She was a teaching specialist at the Norfeldt Elementary School from 1986 to 1991. She was the Curriculum Specialist from 1991 until 1997 at the Wolcott School. Sande represented the West Hartford Public School at the White House when President Bill Clinton honored Norfeldt Elementary School with the Blue Ribbon School Program School distinction in 1992. The Blue Ribbon School Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either high performing or have improved student achievement to high levels, especially among disadvantaged students. Sande was also a homebound tutor for West Hartford.

She was employed by the Groton Public School system from 1997 until her most recent retirement in 2011. She was at the Claude Chester Elementary School as principal for 12 years and most recently at the Northeast Academy Elementary school as assistant principal.

She is survived by her brother Kevin Stratton and wife Nancy and her nephew Spencer T. Stratton of Madison, CT, her aunts Dorothy Stratton of North Haven and Mildred Garvey of Hamden, CT. She also leaves many loving cousins and their children.

Sande had a great sense of humor, was hardworking and very knowledgeable. We have lost an excellent educator, faithful friend and a loving family member.

A celebration of her life will take place at the Swan Funeral Home on Saturday March 19,825 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443, Friends may call at the funeral home 12-2pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Yale New Haven Hospital. We would like to thank all of the staff of the SICU for their loving and comforting care.