Below is an obituary from Farmer & Dee Funeral Home:
TEWKSBURY, MA — Cassandra “Sandy” Edell, a devoted wife, sister-in-law and friend, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, at the age of 80. Born in Winchester, Massachusetts on February 21, 1945, to Roscoe A. Winter and Mary S. Winter, Sandy lived in Tewksbury until 1967, when she married Dennis R. Edell, who lived up the street. Sandy attended Tewksbury Public Schools, graduated Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1962, and went on to Lowell State College (UMass Lowell) where she graduated in 1966 with her teaching degree.
Sandy taught in the Tewksbury Public Schools her entire career. She first taught at the East Street School, located behind the Congregational Church, where she taught for four years. She then spent four years at the Foster School, followed by one year at the Dewing Elementary School. Sandy completed the remainder of her distinguished 37 year teaching career at the North Street School from which she retired in 2003.
After retiring in 2003, Sandy and her husband Dennis, for whom she was married for over 50 years, sold their home in Wilmington, Massachusetts, and returned to Tewksbury to live in her family home. Together, they bought an RV and embarked on an adventure that would span 15 years, traveling to and through 49 states. The couple made countless memories exploring the country, riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, and meeting many friends along the way until Dennis’s untimely passing in 2018. Following his death, Sandy continued to visit Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral with the RV on her “solo missions” before she stopped traveling, cherishing the experiences and journeys they had shared.
Sandy and Dennis did not have children, but she was surrounded by a circle of devoted friends whom she cherished dearly. She relied on sister-in-law Patty Edell, Marjorie Conlon, Caitlin (Conlon) Russo, Sandy Keller, Marge Petalas, and Barbara Panarese, all of whom she considered family and greatly appreciated their support and love.
Sandy spent many enjoyable hours with her friends going to movies, dining out at restaurants, and exploring various destinations throughout Massachusetts. She was a woman of many talents from playing the piano to needlework. She found great pleasure in needlework, especially crewel embroidery, which allowed her creativity to shine. Sandy was also an avid reader, favoring Stephen King novels and the Outlander book series, both of which brought her much delight. She had a book next to her until her final moments.
Sandy’s greatest wish was simple but profound: that she might inspire at least one person to become a teacher, just as she had been inspired by her third grade teacher, Mrs. Colbath. She devoted herself to nurturing young minds with the same kindness, patience, and encouragement that had once shaped her own path. With notice of her passing, it has been learned she inspired many students to become teachers, is often referred to as “my favorite teacher”, and that she was not just a teacher of education but of fun – teaching many students to double Dutch jump rope! Through her compassion, infectious and distinguishable laugh, and unwavering commitment to her students, her legacy will live on in countless lives, especially in those who, following in her footsteps, choose to light the spark of learning for a new generation.
Sandy is survived by Kelly Edell and his wife Patty of Wilmington, MA, Tim Edell of Wilmington, MA and Nancy Simmer of Spring Hills, FL, her three nieces and their families Jessica Filip of Manchester, NH, Lori Simmer of Haverhill, MA, and Callie Bonnetti of Pittstown, NJ.
Visiting hours will be Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury, Massachusetts from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prayers at the gravesite will follow at the Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Tewksbury Teachers Association Scholarship Fund.
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