Obituary of Sandra Mary Burns

Sandra Mary Burns (Sandy) was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to John Daniel Burns and Mary Veronica O’Brien Burns on June 10, 1950.  On February 20, 2021, Sandy passed away with family by her side. 

She was predeceased by her mother and father and survived by a brother Michael J. Burns, and his wife, Angelina Simpson Burns of Titusville, Florida, and three sisters, Diane E. Burns Nigro of Columbia, Maine, Robyn A. (Burns) Webb and her husband Christopher Webb of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and Laura J. Burns, also of Old Saybrook Connecticut, her beloved nieces, Calendula Hubbard, Lisa Knafel, Aadonia de la Torre, Tiffany Burns, Brooke Webb, Sydney Webb, and nephews Kaihlil Nigro, Will Webb, and Luke Webb, also, 8 great nieces, 2 great nephews, and 2 great-great nephews all whom she loved dearly.

Sandy started an accounting career in Connecticut and subsequently joined Deloitte and Touche in Washington, DC, where she stuffed her long blond hair into a helmet, climbed onto a motorcycle and raced to work. After Sandy moved to Florida, she continued her accounting career until the ’90’s when she followed her dreams by starting her own business, “The Furry Godmother.”  She was highly successful as a knowledgable, reliable  and loving animal companion, providing compassionate pet care services for cats and dogs. Not only did the animals love her, but, their human parents did too.  She soon became part of each of these families. 

Sandy’s love of animals was reflected in her dedication to stop animal suffering by becoming a strict vegan and a passionate animal rights activist.  For a quarter century, she organized fundraisers and promoted  protests against the cruelty to elephants by circus owners, greyhound racing, puppy mills, bear hunts and many other animal rights causes.  She worked tirelessly to support the successful passage of local and state legislation that stopped greyhound racing, inhumane confinement of pregnant pigs, pet stores that support puppy mills, and the cruel chaining of dogs without adequate shelter.  The world is a better place thanks to Sandy’s tenacious commitment to fighting for animal rights.

Sandy’s determination to protect her furry friends was echoed in her treatment of her human friends.  She is remembered by her family and her many close friends as compassionate, generous and genuinely kind.  She was the type of person who asked about others health and happiness, no matter how challenged her own life was at the time.  She always found time to help others.  

Sandy’s Irish heritage was obvious by her love of all things Irish.  St. Patrick’s day was a very special holiday for Sandy which she celebrated by making goody bags filled with homemade vegan treats and bright green kerchiefs for all of her furry friends. 

Not long ago, Sandy and her sister, Diane, traveled to Ireland to visit their ancestors’ birth places. The trip turned into an unforgettable adventure for the sisters.  Sandy returned from Ireland with mesmerizing stories and  breathtaking photos of the landscapes and cliffs of Ireland. 

There will be a Virtual Celebration of Life on March 17, 2021, 5pm, to share memories of Sandy.  Because of Sandy’s  love of St. Paddy’s day, participants are asked to wear green.  Join Zoom Meeting in the Animal Hero Kids zoom room https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6140404539 

Meeting ID: 614 040 4539 

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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keB5n9lzIH 

If you have problems call Animal Hero Kids 561-236-8843

To share memories of Sandy on this website, please click on the “Tribute Wall” to leave your thoughts and photos. 

Memorials in Sandy’s honor may be directed to an animal rights organization of your choice.