Sandra Lee Rodgers

We are saddened to announce the death of Sandra Lee Rodgers of Reston, Virginia, on January 23, 2025. Sandra was a loving wife to Dana (1936-2023); mother to Karen Ann Calpin (James) of Vienna, Jennifer Lee Anthony (Adam) of McLean, and Meredith Elizabeth Sutherlin (Chris) of South Riding; and grandmother to Colleen, Erin, Alden, Tobias, Natalie, Emily and Evan.

Sandra was born on June 3, 1937, in Rockaway Beach, New York, to Rev. Ellsworth Livingston Richardson and Elizabeth Gillette. She grew up in Rockaway Beach, NY, Chicago, IL, and Laguna Beach, CA, where her father served as the reverend at the Neighborhood Congregational Church of Laguna Beach. Sandra graduated from Michigan State University in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in English. After graduation, she taught in Santa Clara, California, and later trained for the Peace Corps, where she met Dana Rodgers – whom she married in March 1964.

Sandra’s primary job was to be a strong, devoted mother to her three daughters. She taught them to work hard, be resourceful, and delight in the small things in life. Sandra also instilled in her daughters a sharp sense of humor and a love for the ocean, swimming, reading, musicals, and travel. Sandra was an early gig employee, working as a cast member at Disneyland (where she met Walt Disney), a telephone operator in college (which funded her travel to see Michigan State win the Rose Bowl in 1956), a teacher for adults learning English as a second language, and, for many years, the cookie mom for the Girl Scouts.

She will be remembered for her love of food—especially pistachios, homegrown tomatoes, lobsters, pistachio ice cream, toffee, and chocolate—and her loyalty to a few select local restaurants, where she and Dana were always welcomed by name and with warm smiles. Sandra’s family was fortunate to have shared many memorable trips with her, including cross-country road trips to national parks, summer and holiday outings to visit relatives in Boston and Europe, and vacations by the water in Maine, the Eastern Shore, and California. Sandra’s family is heartbroken to say goodbye but thankful she is at peace.

A family burial service will be held in Pittsford, NY, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in memory of a loved one, a Rodgers family tradition.