Santina “Sandy” (Ruisi) Shea:

Greece: January 8, 2025. Sandy is survived by her husband Brad Shea; children, Christopher (Karolyn) Shea, Lisa (Patrick) Wieser, & Suzanne (Michael) Brown; grandchildren, Vanessa (Jesus El) Shea, great-grandchild, Josiah; grandchildren, Mitchell (Ruby Cibulka) Shea, Victor (Madison Gosch) Mendez, Dominick Murillo, Jackson Murillo, & Benjamin Murillo; sister, Pat Anselm; several nieces, nephews, cousins & dear friends.

Sandy’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on February 4th at 10 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 2400 W. Ridge Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Meridian Centre Blvd., Rochester, NY 14618 or to Lifespan, 1900 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14618 in Sandy’s memory.

Santina “Sandy” (Ruisi) Shea: A Life Rooted in Faith and Family

Sandy was born on September 24, 1933, in Rochester, NY, and grew up in a warm, loving home on Lincoln Street. She was a proud graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Class of 1951, where she excelled academically and creatively, earning membership in the National Honor Society and the Commercial Honor Society while also playing the flute in the school orchestra.

Sandy’s faith was central to her life, and Holy Redeemer Church was her spiritual home. It was through this faith community that she met the love of her life, Brad, at a Catholic social club for young adults. Their love story began in February 1957 at a St. Valentine’s Day Dance hosted by the Thomas More Club at the Powers Hotel, where Brad swept her off her feet with a bouquet of flowers and a night of dancing. “My Funny Valentine” became a symbol of Sandy and Brad’s love story and every year they danced to it to honor their lifetime commitment to one another.

After high school, Sandy embarked on a career as a secretary, working for the Rochester City School District and later the Greece School District. Her dedication, intelligence, and kind spirit earned her respect and admiration in her professional roles. When Brad proposed in the fall of 1958, Sandy’s life took a joyful turn as they married in August of 1959 and began a new chapter together.

Sandy poured love and care into her family, creating a home filled with warmth, delicious meals, and endless support. Her love for cooking became an extension of her creativity and devotion to her loved ones. She collected, organized, and created her very own cookbook, sharing her love of cooking in a way that could be cherished and enjoyed by others for years to come.

Her talents extended to the finer details of life—her flower gardens, reading hundreds of novels, solving crossword puzzles with ease, collecting small treasures from around the world, and continuing family traditions that brought everyone together. Gardening was one of her most cherished pastimes and her favorite flowers in her garden were peonies and in her home were vibrant African violets. She was a steadfast presence at her children’s and grandchildren’s events, cheering them on with pride and instilling in them a love for family, adventure, and education. Sandy and Brad shared a lifelong passion for travel, exploring the world together on more than 50 trips, including to Italy and Sicily multiple times. Whether visiting Vermont and California to see family or traveling internationally, Sandy documented their adventures with captions in meticulously kept photo albums. She was the heart of her family, ensuring every gathering was filled with laughter, love, and good food.

Christmas was especially magical in Sandy’s home, where she lovingly created a beautiful holiday village each year. Her thoughtful nature extended to handwritten letters, newspaper clippings, and cards she sent to family and friends, making everyone feel cherished.

Sandy’s Italian heritage was a source of pride, and she carried forward traditions of resilience, strength, and sacrifice learned from her working-class roots. She was fiercely organized, deeply compassionate, and a firm believer in treating everyone with respect and kindness. Though gentle and warm, Sandy had a quiet strength and spoke her truth with grace.

Sandy’s legacy lives on in the traditions she nurtured, the love she poured into her family, and the countless lives she touched with her kindness, laughter, and grace. She will be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, sister, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a woman whose beauty radiated inside and out.

Sandy is survived by her beloved husband, Brad; her three children (Christopher, Lisa, and Suzanne); six grandchildren (Vanessa, Mitchell, Victor, Dominick, Jackson, Benjamin); her great-grandchild (Josiah); dear sister (Palma “Pat”), nieces, nephews, cousins, and the countless friends and loved ones who were blessed enough to know her.

In Sandy’s honor, let us remember to embrace life with warmth, treat others with compassion, and cherish our loved ones above all else—just as she did every day of her remarkable life.