Sandra Wade Delnickas

She lived with kidney disease for 7 years and during that difficult time, she displayed nothing but courage, grace and determination. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and a friend to many. Her kindness, humor and warmth touched countless lives.

Sandra was born on May 2, 1940, in Andover, Massachusetts, to Alex and Doris “Bettie” Ritchie Jr. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Economics. On September 9, 1962, she married the love of her life, Thomas Delnickas, beginning a marriage filled with 64 years of love, partnership, and cherished memories. They moved to Ridgefield CT in 1967 where they raised 3 children and lived for 30 years before relocating permanently to their home in Orleans MA in 1997 where they had enjoyed many memorable summers leading up to that point.

She dedicated 10 years of her career to teaching in Fairfield County, CT and North Salem, NY school systems before continuing her work with children as the Director of Food Services for the town of Darien CT for 11 years. She was always involved in her community, volunteering for the Ridgefield Community Center and Newcomer’s Club, and spending tireless hours with the Nauset Garden Club in Orleans.

Sandy had so many interests and was good at so many things. She loved traveling, gardening, reading, sewing and knitting, boating to the beach, flower arranging, and mahjong. She was of course an excellent cook and hostess and was well known for her fashion sense. An accomplished athlete, Sandy twirled for the UMass Redmen, played a good game of tennis, was an avid golfer, and excelled at skiing. She was a role model for her children and grandchildren alike, who have inherited many of her interests…she continues to live through them.

Above all, Sandy treasured her family. She is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas Delnickas; her children, Jodi Delnickas and her spouse, Eric Paulik; Elizabeth Delnickas and her spouse, Jim Crowley; and Jeff Delnickas and his spouse, Kelly. She was a proud grandmother to Max and April Paulik; Caden, Brooke, and Brielle Delnickas; and Shauna Royer and her spouse, Tommy Royer.

Sandy will be remembered for so many things but perhaps most importantly, the example she set through her courage and grace, her devotion to family, and the beauty and fun she brought into the lives of those around her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Freeman’s Grille (Captain’s Golf Course) in Brewster, Massachusetts, on Friday, August 7, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sandra’s memory to the National Kidney Foundation at this link: Sandra W. Delnickas - Kidney Tributes

https://kidneytribute.rallybound.org/sandydelnickas