Sandra Anne Linneman

Sandra Anne Vaccarella Linneman (“Sandy”), 85, of Naples and New York, NY, passed away on August 14, 2022. Sandy is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Ernest (“Ernie”), and their three children: Christopher (Kay) of Naples and New Canaan, CT; Nancy (Bill Gotsis) of Naples and Goshen, NY; and Allison (John) Strawn of Houston, TX. She is also survived by her brother Joseph (Donna) Vaccarella of Naples and Westport, CT, as well as by her nine grandchildren: Holly (JT Glaze), Harper and Ryan Linneman, Alexander and Kristen Gotsis, and Emory, Peter, Ellie and Eric Strawn. Sandy was born on April 19,1937 in Brooklyn, NY to Mildred and Peter Vaccarella. She graduated from Bayside High School, was the first in her family to attend college, graduating from Queens College, City of New York with a degree in English Literature at the age of 20. While there, she met Ernie when he helped her get up after she fell into a hole while walking across campus. They were the loves of each other’s lives ever since. Sandy worked her way through college at Bloomingdale’s. Then, she was thrilled to land a job in Manhattan at Billboard magazine as a copy editor. After marrying in 1958 and starting a family in Wisconsin, Sandy and Ernie returned to the East Coast to East Northport, NY, where Sandy earned a Master’s degree in Education at SUNY Stony Brook. Their family eventually settled in Roslyn Harbor, NY, where Sandy was a highly respected English teacher at nearby North Shore High School. Sandy retired from teaching in 1992 when she and Ernie moved to Palos Verdes Estates, CA because of Ernie’s job promotion. Eager to master a new creative endeavor, she earned a decorator’s license at UCLA. Upon Ernie’s retirement in 2000, they traded in the West Coast for the Gulf Coast and her beloved Naples, where they had owned a home since 1986. Always an avid reader, Sandy started a Port Royal book club that continued for 20 years. She was a member of the Board and various committees of the Friends of the Library of Collier County; she was also asked to serve on the Greater Naples Leadership organization, which she enjoyed immensely. Sandy kept in touch with many of her Beta Sigma Omicron sorority sisters and organized reunions over the years. She loved taking trips and cruises around the world, as well as visiting her expanding family. Sandy taught her children and her students the values of hard work, diligence and high standards. Sandy was a person of great intellect; she was outgoing, persistent, and capable, qualities she applied to all that she did. She also loved a good laugh. Although she could never remember how to tell a full joke, nobody laughed more readily at the jokes told by others. Most of all, she will be lovingly remembered for her boundless pride in her family, especially her grandchildren. A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bower Chapel at Moorings Park at 142 Moorings Park Drive. In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Sandy’s memory may be directed to Friends of the Library of Collier County, Inc., 650 Central Avenue, Naples, FL 34102, or to a charity of one’s choice.