Betty K. Sando, of Helena, MT passed away Monday, February 16, 2015. She died peacefully of natural causes at the age of 97.
Betty and her twin sister were born to Dutch immigrants, Onno and Diana Pesman on November 27, 1917 in Pompey’s Pillar, MT. She attended schools in Pompey’s Pillar and Warden, and graduated in 1939 from Montana State College in Bozeman. In 1942, while teaching in Mildred, MT she met and married Robert G. Sando. When Bob left to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II, Betty worked in a cookie factory, drove a public transportation bus in Salt Lake City, and taught in Billings.
After the war, Betty and Bob had three children – Sunny Ray, Merry Gay and John Jay. They lived in Glendive, MT prior to moving to Helena in 1957. Betty began teaching at Central School in the fall of 1961 after Bob died in a fishing accident. Mrs. Sando retired in June, 1982. The last twelve years of Betty’s life challenged her independent nature and she found herself needing the support of assisted living and eventually a nursing home.
In every aspect of her life, Betty had the highest expectations for herself. Those expectations included the belief that you should “do the right thing and always do your best”. She considered being a mother the most wonderful of callings. She successfully managed her career and freely shared her time with her children, even when she had so many things to do. We learned from her that the little things can be the special things in life. She taught us to depend on each other through the difficult times and to stay close as a family. She was firm in her expectations but we always felt loved and safe. She was encouraging and supportive and helped us believe that our dreams could come true. She didn’t look for recognition, instead taking great pride in our accomplishments. We are blessed with childhood memories. Most of all, Betty shared her love and, Mom, you shared the very best!
As a teacher, Mrs. Sando demonstrated the same commitment to her students. She felt that a good education was the key to success and she took her teaching responsibilities very seriously. Mrs. Sando strived to make her influence on students as positive as possible. She was grateful for the visits and cards she received from former students. Her far reaching legacy lives on in her former students and colleagues.
When her children were raised and retirement provided her with extra time, Betty focused on personal interests. Each spring she planted over 300 petunias in her flower beds and took pride in the compliments and letters she received admiring the beauty of her yard. Betty treasured her home and it was an important part of her identity. She enjoyed decorating and regularly changed her décor to match the season. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren provided enormous pleasure. Her gift to each grandchild on their 10th birthday was a memory book complete with pictures and journal entries. Tea and cookies with Grandma on Friday afternoons was a weekly event for her granddaughters during their school years.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband (Robert G. Sando), older brother (Jerry Pesman) and sister (Alice Wright), her twin sister (Annette Mathiason), a granddaughter (Shelby Sando), and numerous friends and relatives. She is survived by her three children, Sunny Ray Mandeville (Steve), Merry Fahrman (Morgan Hulett), John Sando, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes, Helena, MT 59601. Donations in Betty’s memory may be made to the Helena Education Foundation, P.O. Box 792, Helena, MT 59601 or Plymouth Congregational Church.
Kevin Bartsch says
Mrs. Sando was my 6th grade teacher at Central School. I remember her as very committed to her students, and she was a very caring and kind lady. Thoughts to her family.
Denise Feller says
My prayers are with your whole family, Sunny. Lots of good memories from times at your home with your mom.
Debbie(Lieberg)Boyle says
Mrs. Sando is one of the reasons I became an educator. She was my 6th grade teacher at Central School, and I remember her as being kind, yet firm, which brought forth the perfect learning environment. She will always have a place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Cathy (Pullin) Kovich says
Mrs. Sando was one of my favorite teachers, although I did not realize it at the time. She left lifelong memories of stern but educational teachings. Over the years I would see her out and about, usually with her daughter, and I would know her because her appearance changed very little and my respect never faulted. Blessed are we who had her for a teacher and for all who had her in their lives. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tara Popp says
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Betty. It was an honor to get to know her and her family while working with her at Big Sky. She was such a loving and caring woman. God’s blessing and my prayers go out to the family and friends.
Paula Chris Juhl Love says
Thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family, Sunny. Very sad to lose Mom, but how blessed you all were to have her for so many years! God bless.
Sara "Margie" Graveley says
What a remarkable woman! I remember in 5th grade getting so excited to be going into 6th grade just to have her as a teacher! The memories of Central School and Mrs. Sando are etched forever in my heart. Many warm thoughts to her family and what a legacy she left.
Janet Coughlin says
Sunny Ray, thinking of you in the loss of your mother. While I didn’t know her personally, it’s known that she left her mark with her family and the community as a respected teacher. Prayers for you and all your family.
Lynne Marie Mathiason says
Blessings. I trust your grief will be complete.
How well I remember Aunt Betty’s summer visits. My sister and I cleaned our rooms excitedly, and then waited impatiently the arrival of the little Rambler. And come it did! Filled with fun and laughter and attention.
We got a little taste of city when we rode the train to Helena one time. What an experience. For some reason I remember the Batman and Robin shampoo bottles I clung too as we waited for Aunt Betty to bring Mom back to us, sure they would never return in time.
Betty was a friend for Mom. I remember the talk of flowers and birds, trees and landscaping. Aunt Betty gave Mom a time to dream and plan and hope. And then they sat and talked over tea. I remember a sense of peace and safety when they were together out here in the hills. And that is a very high complement.
Aunt Betty sure must have been a really big person…or had lots of shoes…or many coats, no, maybe it was just a bunch of hats.
I am honored to be her niece.
Jan Pepin says
I taught with Betty at Central School from 1979-1982. She one of the “big teachers” teaching 6th grade while I taught 1st grade with Carol Nisbet. Jackie Pace was the other 6th grade teacher at that time. The staff had so much fun together whether planning a birthday celebration in the teacher’s lounge, playing a practical joke on a fellow colleague, or at a Christmas party. She’s a big player in my memories of my years at Central. I know that she will be missed but I celebrate for her as she’s free of the restrictions that limited her so much in her latter years. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers as you make adjustments to your lives without her.
Barb says
I had the pleasure of working at a assisted living facility where Betty was fortunate to reside for several years. She was such a amazing lady whom enjoyed her sweets. I always looked forward to her many cherished treasures that she changed out with each holiday!
My thoughts and prayers going out to the family!
Gary Blom says
Betty had such a delightful personality. She was a cheerful lady who seemed to be such an encourager of others. Her ever present Sando smile will be missed. I has happy to have met her. She will be missed.
Michael P. McVeigh, R.N. says
I had the pleasure of meeting Betty and caring for her at the Big Sky Care Community, where she resided. She was such a nice lady and really enjoyed her afternoon nutrition shakes, which I and other staff members assisted her to drink. She had such a warm and assuring personality. My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Jackie Silberling Higgins says
Mrs. Sando was a teacher of mine at Central school. She was a wonderful teacher and always had a smile on her face. She not only taught myself, but also my husband John and his sister Helen Higgins. I had the pleasure of also having her daughter Sunny as my 3rd grade teacher. Our prays our with your family.
Anita and Mike Varone says
Our prayers go out to Betty’s family. The Mandevilles have been our dear friends for nearly thirty years and Betty truly did raise a family she could be proud of. Both Sunny Ray, Mary and their spouses made sure she was comfortable and as happy as possible. They took her out for lunch, drives and appointments when she was able; and, when not, they were by her side regularly and often. They did their best to help her enjoy the final days. Their children and grand-children visited with her as often as they could. She had a full and loving life.
All of us could learn valuable lessons from the Sando family. It truly is a family, from the beginning to the end. The celebration of their time together and the importance of maintaining a family unit always comes first. As it should.
Our hearts ache for your loss. We know how much you miss and love her: but you all should be very, very proud.
Tonna Strasko says
Sunny Ray, Steve, and family, our prayers are with you all. God bless the times you are sad with the beautiful memories of your mother.
Tonna and Joe Strasko
Deborah Sherlock Petrosky says
I absolutely loved Mrs. Sando!!! She spoke many words of wisdom into my life as my 6th grade teacher @ Central School. Words that actually shaped my life! She never forgot me, and would ask my Mother how I was doing many years later
Kathy Stacey says
I loved her smile. She loved teaching and she was so very dedicated to it. I had her son John in the other 6th grade class. They were a lot alike for he too was very nice and funny. Mrs Sando was always smiling even when you got in trouble she was teaching. Prays to the family. She left a wonderful legacy.
Mary Jo Maierle Smallwood says
I had the privilege of knowing and admiring Betty as a teacher in the Helena School System. She was one of those kind, principled teachers who served so faithfully and lovingly in all her duties. I so admired her and what she stood for, how she conducted herself in all the capacities in which she served. She always had a smile and a kind word for everyone she encountered. I am certain she will be missed in the lives of all those she touched.
Hope (Betty) Kennedy-Solberg says
Mrs. Sando was a wonderful teacher and part of what makes my memories of Central so wonderful. My prayers go out to her family & friends.
Betty
Jane (Syskowski) Chase says
Not only was Mrs. Sando my 6th grade teacher at Central School, but she was my neighbor across the street. I remember her teaching us social studies facts by setting up a game of “baseball” in the classroom. If we got a right answer, we advanced to first base. She always had such a beautiful yard of flowers! After I became an adult and moved back to Helena, I lived in the same neighborhood and would stop by to see her working in her garden.
Carol Nisbet says
From CasaGrande, AZ. My fourth year of teaching I was assigned a first grade class at Central School. Most of the teachers were seasoned professionals. They served as role models to those of us new to regular classrooms. (Three of us had been in Special Ed Classes) Betty was my number one role model! Always very positive,so kind, and caring to her students. She cared about those of us that she taught with. Everything about her showed her professionalism to her role as a teacher. She holds a special place in my memories.