Rebecca Sandel

She is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 69 years, Robert Loyd Sandel. Her children, April Joy Connell (Larry LaGrone) of Northport, AL, Lorrie Sandel Lane (Dr. Alan Lane) of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Dr. Todd Lyle Sandel (Donna Ching-Kuei Sandel) of Macao, China, will miss her deeply. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Elizabeth Lane (Chase Bryan), Sean Miller Lane, Charles Lane (Fatima Carbajal), Sarah Sandel (Jordan Ho), Robert Sandel (Amanda Knaup), and Pearl Sandel, as well as great-grandchildren Brooklyn Bryan and Estelle Bryan. She is also survived by her sister, Judith Colson Ganton, and brother, Dr. Theodore Colson, as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was known to her family and many friends as ‘Becky.’ Always outgoing and energetic, she attended Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY, and later graduating from Hobart William Smith College in Geneva, NY (1977). She received a Master's in Social Work degree from Syracuse University in 1982. Becky was elected to the Midlakes School District School Board in Clifton Springs, NY, in the 1970s. Her life of service extended to her chosen profession of family counselor and addiction therapist. After her employment as a counselor for several agencies in western New York, Becky retired in 1997 and moved to Tuscaloosa, AL.

Becky loved her family, her church, and her many friends. She constantly served others by volunteering, most recently with Tuscaloosa International Friends. She enjoyed travel, downhill ski trips, entertaining, church mission trips, gardening, and cleaning house. She spent countless hours teaching children’s church, leading church women’s events, and participating in spiritual retreats. She and husband Bob built a cottage at Pine Grove Camp in Saratoga, NY, enjoying many summers up north.’ Becky welcomed all without reservation. Her hospitality extended to creating and sending cards to all whom she knew.

A funeral service for Becky will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Forest Lake United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL. Visitation begins at 10 a.m., the service is at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the Church.

Memorial donations can be directed to World Vision International (www.worldvision.org) or Forest Lake United Methodist Church (forestlakeumc.org).