May 15, 2022
Brighton, NY: Passed away peacefully Sunday May 15, 2022 at age 86 with family by her side.
Predeceased by her husband of 40 years, David Carroll Arnold, parents Jeanette and Louis Weiss, brother Stanley Weiss and grandparents Ida and Ben Lewis.
Survived by daughter Marcie Arnold Bilinski of Apollo Beach, Florida, son Michael H. Arnold of Safety Harbor, Florida, son Ben Arnold of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, grandson Andrew (Erica) Arnold of Boston, Massachusetts, granddaughter Laura Arnold of Charlotte, North Carolina and some extended relatives. We will all miss her strong personality and deep love for her family.
Sandra was born in Pittsburgh, PA where she was married and began to raise a family. She eventually moved to Pittsford, NY, then Philadelphia, PA, Buffalo, NY and ultimately back to Rochester where she remained for many years until her death.
Sandra was a life-long lover of music, culture and modern reform Jewish life. Sandra began singing at a very young age, developing a very early music therapy program with soldiers residing at the VA, and continued singing in cabaret and folk music salons in and around Pittsburgh, PA.
While deeply involved with Temple B’rith Kodesh for decades, Sandra served as President of the Sisterhood from 1998 to 2001, and Co-President from 2005 to 2008, and attended many regional and national conferences of the Women of Reform Judaism. She also chaired the annual Trash & Treasures sale and managed the Judaica shop at the Temple for many years.
Sandra spent many summer seasons attending Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. She was a proud member and graduate of the Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle. Additionally she was quite active with the Hebrew Congregation of Chautauqua where she led Friday night services for many years. She loved the concerts and lectures and attended them regularly. Along with her husband David and often, their grandchildren, she truly cherished every season spent at Chautauqua.
With great interest in fashion, Sandra, along with her husband David, ran a small chain of clothing stores in Upstate NY for several years until David passed away. Her forte was selecting and buying the merchandise as well as the art of displaying it.
While she was passionate about her many outside interests, absolutely nothing brought her greater joy than the time she spent with her grandchildren, Andrew and Laura. Summers at Chautauqua and sleepovers at Grammie’s house were a highlight.
In later years, Sandra enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and attending occasional theater productions, concerts and films.
A Memorial service in celebration of Sandra’s life will be held at Chautauqua Institution, followed by interment to be held at Chautauqua Cemetery August 26th, 2022.
Donations in Sandra’s memory gratefully accepted: Chautauqua Institution Scholarship Fund https://giving.chq.org/chq-fund or by mail to: Chautauqua Institution, Office of Advancement P.O. Box 28 Chautauqua, NY 14722
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One response to “Arnold (Weiss), Sandra ”
Sandra played a very important role in the Hebrew Congregation of Chautauqua. She was an initiator of things that importantly benefited the congregation. In the year 2000 an Israeli family would go down to the lake Friday afternoon for a Kabbalat Shabbat Service. Sandra joined them, and that next season, with enthusiastic approval of the board, created that service every Friday afternoon, which drew an increasingly large number of people to it. Sandra put together a wonderful prayer book, led these services for many years, and it has become one of the most meaningful and beautiful events each week during the summer attracting 200 or more people. I also know that Sandra was the prime mover in the creation of a beautiful Torah ark which has been in use for many years in our Saturday morning services in Hurlbut Sanctuary. We will miss her energy and her creativity..