Sarah Klein

Sarah “Sandy” Klein, 101, of Sarasota, Florida, died peacefully in her sleep on July 30, 2026, after living with end-stage kidney disease and congestive heart failure. She leaves behind a devoted family, an enormous circle of friends, and communities that are stronger because Sandy lent an important hand to their quality of life.

Sandy is survived by her son, David Klein (Dawn) of Bonita Springs, Florida; her daughter, Ruth Klein Thurber (Stan) of Nokomis, Florida; her grandchildren, Randy (Janette) of Jewett, New York, Alexander (Brittany) of Madison, Connecticut, and Courtney Bailey (Kenny) of Arlington, Virginia; and seven great-grandchildren: JP, Erin, Leo, Asher, Scout, Levi, and Charlotte. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph Klein, who died in October 2012 at age 97, and by her parents, Isadore and Annie Roskin of Albany, New York, who also knew a thing or two about longevity, living to ages 96 and 88.

Sandy grew up in New York City and graduated from James Monroe High School in the Bronx at just 16. A natural leader, she served as a class officer. She did not attend college; instead, she went to work in administrative and bookkeeping positions and spent the rest of her life demonstrating that leadership, intelligence, and good judgment do not require a diploma.

She met Joe at a USO event in August and married him in December 1944, shortly after his discharge from the Navy. Four months was apparently plenty of time for two people who recognized a good thing. Joe adored Sandy, and their marriage became both a great love story and an enduring partnership.

After marrying, they moved to Schenectady, New York, Joe’s hometown. In 1946, they founded Klein Pharmacy in Albany and ran the highly regarded neighborhood business together until 1969. Joe managed the prescription department; Sandy handled cosmetics and greeting cards and kept the books. Their customer service was so trusted that local physicians came to Klein Pharmacy to have their own prescriptions filled. They worked side by side every day and somehow still liked each other at closing time.

Because operating a seven-day-a-week pharmacy apparently left Sandy with too much free time, she also served as a Cub Scout den leader and Girl Scout unit leader and sang in the Temple Israel choir. After the pharmacy was sold in 1969, she worked for the New York State Civil Service Department.

In 1979, Sandy and Joe moved to Delray Beach, Florida, bringing along Joe’s 88-year-old mother, who was not enthusiastic about the move. Sandy’s solution to one lonely mother-in-law was characteristically ambitious: she founded the Diamonds, a social and service group that grew to about 200 members and met every Monday morning. The Diamonds remains an important part of the Delray Beach Jewish community. Among its projects was making “cool caps” for people undergoing cancer treatment—an idea Sandy later carried with her to Sarasota.

Retirement did not slow her down. Sandy became computer-literate, started a desktop publishing and mailing business whose clients included the synagogue and the local Democratic Party, ushered at theater performances, worked as a secret shopper, and sang in the temple choir. She accumulated so many awards and recognitions that she maintained a literal wall of fame. In Sandy’s case, it was less vanity than accurate recordkeeping.

She also faced difficult moments with courage. Sandy survived breast cancer. With Ruth, she became a Bat Mitzvah at Masada in Israel. She and Joe later moved to Boynton Beach, where they thrived in retirement.

Soon after Joe died in 2012, Sandy suffered a stroke and moved to Sarasota to be near Ruth, who guided her through the transition and provided extraordinary support. The stroke left Sandy with aphasia, affecting her speech, but not her determination. She attacked rehabilitation—especially speech therapy—with the discipline she brought to everything else. Within months, she moved into independent living and returned to the full, active life she loved. Aviva Senior Life became home and is where she lived for now 13 years. She loves and is loved.

At Aviva Senior Life, Sandy was impossible to miss. In a world where many people go gray, she remained a proud redhead. Her hair was done, her nails were polished, and her makeup was in place. Aviva frequently featured her as a model, a role she accepted not out of vanity, but because she understood the importance of representing the community properly—and looking good while doing it.

Sandy was an energetic advocate for herself and for others. In her 90s, she went to Best Buy and purchased a new computer. She managed her own calendar, followed the details, and was almost always right about the facts. The rare occasions when she was not right were best approached with careful preparation.

She became an accomplished artist, painting in watercolor, oils, and acrylics. She loved theater, canasta, Rummikub, mahjong, and thousand-piece jigsaw puzzles. She assisted Rabbi Rachel with Shabbat morning services and served on resident advisory councils. She organized residents to make “Kobby Kaps” for cancer patients experiencing chemotherapy-related hair loss and to stuff knitted teddy bears for medically fragile children.

When something at the residence was not right—food, service, or otherwise—Sandy did not quietly complain. She organized. She once described herself, with pride, as a “pain in the ass.” Staff and residents understood that this was really her affectionate title for a person willing to speak up. Her campaigns were rarely about herself; they were about making life better for everyone.

Sandy’s motto was simple: “Keep on going over the bumps in the road.” When kidney failure required dialysis three times a week, she kept going. Her family, friends, art, games, service, and next project were simply too important. At her 99th, 100th, and 101st birthday celebrations, she led a line dance and ended each party by instructing the band to hold the date for the following year. Sandy believed in planning ahead.

She inspired nearly everyone who met her, including her nieces Linda Goldberg and Marilynne Herbert and her adopted daughter, Paige, who became devoted students of Sandy’s approach to life. Their frequent calls and visits were opportunities to learn from her, laugh with her, and leave a little more motivated than when they arrived.

Sandy was formidable, stylish and stubborn, generous and deeply loved. She did not merely live to 101; she stayed fully engaged in the business of living—helping, learning, creating, organizing, loving her family, and occasionally leading a well-deserved revolt. Her family and friends will miss her beyond words.

Graveside funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at Congregation Beth Abraham Jacob Cemetery, 1620 Western Avenue in Guilderland, NY with Levine Memorial Chapel, Albany NY (518) 438-1002 serving the family. www.levinememorialchapel.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Sandy's name to Aviva Senior Life at foundation.avivaseniorlife.org or mailed to Avivs Foundation, 1955 N. Honore Ave. Sarasota, FL 34235.

Heritage Funeral Care, David and Steven Gross Directors, Largo Florida assisting with local arrangements