BANGOR, ME. Sandra Lee (Reynolds) Huston Black passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, October, 5, 2021.
Sandy was born on January 5, 1942, in Bangor, the daughter of Harvard E. and Helen I. (Ryer) Reynolds.
Sandy was the matriarch of a large blended family. While her last years were made difficult due to the pandemic and her advancing battle with Alzheimer’s, her shining example of positivity, humor and self-lessness had been set long ago. Her family, which she cherished so, drew from this example in caring for her during her later years.
Sandy graduated from Bangor High School in 1960, and then attended school to become a beautician.
In 1961, she married her high school sweetheart, Lt. William A. (Bill) Huston and soon became a Navy wife stationed first in Long Beach, CA, and then in Groton, CT. They had their first child, Paul, in 1963, and were looking forward to the birth of their second child, Peter. Tragically, in September of 1964, Sandy learned that Bill had been lost at sea while serving on the submarine USS Piper.
As a young widow, Sandy was supported through this very difficult time by the Reynolds and Huston families, helping to shape her into the strong, resilient woman that she was.
In 1969, Sandy married Averill Black, and they merged their two families. Between the two of them, the couple had 4 boys: Jeff, Scott, Paul and Pete. In 1970, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Heather.
Sandy was a full-time, very busy mom and homemaker, seamlessly keeping the family on course. Balancing the challenges of a growing family, she was the self-proclaimed “chief cook and bottle washer”, taxi driver, referee, disciplinarian and hug-master. After the boys left the nest, Mom entered the workforce, working as a secretary at a local real estate firm.
Sandy was a light to all who knew her. Her smile and outgoing personality were infectious, and she never met a stranger. She loved to travel, play tennis, golf and Bridge. A wonderful cook, she often hosted dinner parties for family and friends. Mom was an avid reader, a life-long learner, and, despite her Alzheimer’s, she still found great comfort in the ritual of sitting with a good book.
Her camp at Lucerne held a special place in her heart as the family gathering spot. Over 50 summers, she enjoyed countless majestic sunsets and the peace and serenity of the lake.
Sandy was pre-deceased by her parents; her first husband, Willam A. Huston; her second husband, Averill L. Black, and her son Jeffrey Black. She is survived by her sons Paul Huston and wife Melissa of Bangor, ME; Peter Huston and wife Dawn of Hampden, ME; daughter Heather Black-Ward and husband Matt of Exeter, NH; son Scott Black and wife Carla of Deland, FL; grandchildren Erik Black, Katie (Black) Sankare; Thomas Black, Jamie (Black) Gregory; Marlee, Sam, Logan, Wil, and Ben Huston, and Austin and Julia Ward; and great-grandchildren Laila Sankare, Maya Sankare, Landon Black, Cecilia Black, Josephine Black and Luke Gregory. She is also survived by her brother V. Paul Reynolds and sister in-law Diane Reynolds; sister Christine Force; sister in-law Dorothy (Huston) Thomas and husband George Thomas; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday October 9, 2021 at Brookings-Smith 133 Center St., Bangor with Rev. Chad L. Poland, Pastor and Teacher, All Souls Congregational Church, officiating.
Those wishing to view a live stream of the service may do so by going to BrookingsSmith.com and clicking on the available live tributes icon.
The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Sandy’s memory to the Edythe Dyer Library, 269 Main Rd North, Hampden, ME, 04444. Please note “In Memory of Sandy Black” in the memo or in an accompanying note.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sandra Lee Huston Black, please visit our flower store.
Sandy was born on January 5, 1942, in Bangor, the daughter of Harvard E. and Helen I. (Ryer) Reynolds.
Sandy was the matriarch of a large blended family. While her last years were made difficult due to the pandemic and her advancing battle with Alzheimer’s, her shining example of positivity, humor and self-lessness had been set long ago. Her family, which she cherished so, drew from this example in caring for her during her later years.
Sandy graduated from Bangor High School in 1960, and then attended school to become a beautician.
In 1961, she married her high school sweetheart, Lt. William A. (Bill) Huston and soon became a Navy wife stationed first in Long Beach, CA, and then in Groton, CT. They had their first child, Paul, in 1963, and were looking forward to the birth of their second child, Peter. Tragically, in September of 1964, Sandy learned that Bill had been lost at sea while serving on the submarine USS Piper.
As a young widow, Sandy was supported through this very difficult time by the Reynolds and Huston families, helping to shape her into the strong, resilient woman that she was.
In 1969, Sandy married Averill Black, and they merged their two families. Between the two of them, the couple had 4 boys: Jeff, Scott, Paul and Pete. In 1970, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Heather.
Sandy was a full-time, very busy mom and homemaker, seamlessly keeping the family on course. Balancing the challenges of a growing family, she was the self-proclaimed “chief cook and bottle washer”, taxi driver, referee, disciplinarian and hug-master. After the boys left the nest, Mom entered the workforce, working as a secretary at a local real estate firm.
Sandy was a light to all who knew her. Her smile and outgoing personality were infectious, and she never met a stranger. She loved to travel, play tennis, golf and Bridge. A wonderful cook, she often hosted dinner parties for family and friends. Mom was an avid reader, a life-long learner, and, despite her Alzheimer’s, she still found great comfort in the ritual of sitting with a good book.
Her camp at Lucerne held a special place in her heart as the family gathering spot. Over 50 summers, she enjoyed countless majestic sunsets and the peace and serenity of the lake.
Sandy was pre-deceased by her parents; her first husband, Willam A. Huston; her second husband, Averill L. Black, and her son Jeffrey Black. She is survived by her sons Paul Huston and wife Melissa of Bangor, ME; Peter Huston and wife Dawn of Hampden, ME; daughter Heather Black-Ward and husband Matt of Exeter, NH; son Scott Black and wife Carla of Deland, FL; grandchildren Erik Black, Katie (Black) Sankare; Thomas Black, Jamie (Black) Gregory; Marlee, Sam, Logan, Wil, and Ben Huston, and Austin and Julia Ward; and great-grandchildren Laila Sankare, Maya Sankare, Landon Black, Cecilia Black, Josephine Black and Luke Gregory. She is also survived by her brother V. Paul Reynolds and sister in-law Diane Reynolds; sister Christine Force; sister in-law Dorothy (Huston) Thomas and husband George Thomas; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday October 9, 2021 at Brookings-Smith 133 Center St., Bangor with Rev. Chad L. Poland, Pastor and Teacher, All Souls Congregational Church, officiating.
Those wishing to view a live stream of the service may do so by going to BrookingsSmith.com and clicking on the available live tributes icon.
The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Sandy’s memory to the Edythe Dyer Library, 269 Main Rd North, Hampden, ME, 04444. Please note “In Memory of Sandy Black” in the memo or in an accompanying note.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
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