Obituary of Sandra J. Sundeen

Severna Park, MD – Sandra J. (Sandy) Sundeen passed away in her home on October 15, 2019, surrounded by her family and close friend. She was born on September 30, 1940, in Jamestown, NY, the daughter of the late Harold and Helen Sundeen. Sandy graduated from Southwestern Central School in 1958 as Valedictorian of her class. She continued her academic career at Strong Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Rochester, NY. After completing a three year nursing program, she received her nursing license. She completed a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in nursing from the University of Rochester in 1965. This was followed by a distinguished career in the field of psychiatric nursing. During the time she was continuing her education she worked as a psychiatric nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital. She then continued her education at the University of Maryland and received a Master of Science Degree with a major in psychiatric nursing in 1968. After completing her Masters Degree, she taught psychiatric nursing at the University of Maryland School of Nursing for four years. This was followed by working as the psychiatric clinical nursing specialist for the Baltimore City Hospital for two years. For the next 22 years, she was the Chief Psychiatric Nurse at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which entailed monitoring and directing mental health programs at the state psychiatric hospitals. Following her retirement from that position, she continued her professional life for the next 10 years as the Administrator for the Systems Information Research Center at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. During her career she also co-authored two nursing textbooks: Nurse-Client Interaction; and the widely used, Implementing the Nursing Process, Principles and Practice of Psychiatric Nursing. Throughout her life, Sandy enjoyed her family, many friends, career, traveling, reading and crossword puzzles. Sandy is survived by brothers: John (Marilyn) Sundeen, Lakewood, NY; Douglas (Late Kathy) Sundeen; Daniel (Linda) Sundeen, Amherst, NY; nephews, Dr. John (Bobbi) Sundeen, Jr., PhD, Charlotte, NC; Richard (Michele) Sundeen, Voorheesville, NY; nieces, Libby (Michael) Stark, Naples FL; Beth Widzinski, Kenmore, NY; Sarah Widzinski, Rochester, NY; great-nephews, Boden and Spencer Sundeen, Voorheesville, NY; great-nieces, Emma and Anna Stark, Naples, FL. She is also survived by her long time close friend Fran Damratowski, who was like a sister to her. Sandy is preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother, James Sundeen. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 26th in the Lind Funeral Home. Rev. Michael Childs will officiate. The family will receive friends for one hour prior the service on Saturday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Sandra Sundeen, M.S. '68 Scholarship Endowment at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.