Sandra Elizabeth (Bryant) Holland, 82, of Medford, NJ passed away peacefully, at home, on April 5, 2023 surrounded by her loved ones.

She had blue eyes and auburn hair. She was the eldest daughter of Richard Alexander Bryant and Lillian Marguerite Robertson. Her home was on Euclid Avenue in Ogden, PA for 20 years. Her siblings were Richard, Dolores Katherine, and Gilbert, and all but Gilbert have passed. She graduated from Chichester High School in 1959. In her senior year she worked at Angelo’s Sandwich shop in Linwood, saving money for her pending marriage. She purchased their first TV, a 17 inch black and white table top with some of that money. She was proud of that.

She married George Edward (Ed) Holland on February 27, 1960. Shortly after returning from their honeymoon, they moved to an apartment in Trainer, PA. She returned home for almost a year while Ed was commuting to work in Brooklyn, NY. Her daughter, Diane, was born during this time. Upon Ed’s return they moved to Aston Township where her son, Michael, was born. They lived in Aston for 12 sweet years. During this time she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis at age 28. The effects: double vision, weakness in the arms and legs, fatigue, difficulty in swallowing and breathing, would remain with her in her middle years. Stenosis of the spine became the problem in her later years.

The family moved to Medford, NJ in 1974, when Ed’s job was transferred to Lakehurst. Tamarac, an idyllic community of forests and lakes, was a Mecca for Sandy’s extended family.

Sandy leaves behind her daughter, Diane (Ed) and her son Michael, 7 Grandchildren Colleen, Carrie (Richard), Heather (Ricky), Sean, Timothy, Matthew (Jamie), Laura and 7 Great Grandchildren Steven, Logan, Connor, Richie, Sumner, McKenzie, and Paisley.

In 1993 she saw the movie Gettysburg. In 1995 she attended her first Reenactment near Gettysburg, The Battle of Little Round Top. She was hooked. Over the next 15 years, she attended reenactments in NJ, PA, MD, DE, and VA with one or more Grandchildren in tow. She enjoyed the panorama of a living movie and the weather, when it was pleasant. Most of all she enjoyed taking the grandchildren. Going to reenactments became family outings.

In the 1990s and 2000s, she traveled (20 trips) in spite of the Myasthenia. She would accompany Ed on his business trips. They would take mini-vacations after business was complete to the Grand Ole Opry, the Alamo, Mount Rushmore, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and other National Parks. Sometimes she visited family. She visited Diane’s family 4 times in the 3 years there were living in California. The visits to her youngest sister in Florida were countless. Sandy and Kathy became very close.

Sandy loved music. She liked Elvis (of course) and Fats Domino as a teenager. As a young woman she enjoyed John Lennon, Harry Chapin and others. Her favorite Lennon song was “Imagine”. Music was her first therapy when the back pain started. She discovered “The Band”. Having missed them in their heyday in the 70s, she collected every CD released, read the 2 books about them, and enumerable articles on the internet. She loved Levon Helm and Rick Danko. She had a photo of Rick on her bureau, but none of Ed. Eventually, The Band was not enough and the medication started, but the love of music never ceased. Sandy had many interests. She loved tigers, but butterflies became her favorite.

Sandy had a strong sense of Family. Her home was warm and welcoming. She was caring and generous. Her love of each family member unconditional. She was the family’s heart and soul, and will forever be.

She will be buried at the Lawncroft Cemetery in Linwood PA with the graves of her Bryant grandparents (Richard and Myrtle), her Mom and Dad, Dick, Dee, and Kathy all close by. Interment will be private. The family will gather for a “Celebration of Her Life” in the near future.

If you are so inclined donations can be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and mailed to: 290 Turnpike Rd, Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581.