Obituary of Sandra Mann Ormsby

Sandra Mann Ormsby, 72, a Niagara Falls native and longtime resident of Lewiston, died Tuesday, July 11, of injuries sustained in a fall in her home. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. (Gladys I.) Mann, Sandra was born March 16, 1945, in Niagara Falls, living there before moving to Lewiston as a teenager. She attended the former Madonna High School in Niagara Falls before going on to receive her bachelor's degree in English from Niagara University. Having married Linus L. Ormsby Jr. on Sept. 23, 1967, and, true to her skills as an event planner, Sandra was busily engaged in making arrangements for the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary in September. She began her working career at the Niagara Gazette, where she was a reporter and feature writer for the family news department. She also worked for a time as director of the former Lewiston Business and Professional Association before joining her alma mater as director of alumni relations in 1984. In that role, she edited the Niagara University alumni magazine, traveled to alumni events across the country, and planned annual alumni weekend activities over a period of 19 years. Sandra also served for a time as chair of the board of Stella Niagara Education Park. In 2003, she became director of university events at Niagara, a position she described as "the best job ever."She retired from the university in May of 2013 after 29 years of service. When she was inducted into the university's honor society, Sigma Alpha Sigma, upon retirement, then Niagara University president Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., with whom she worked closely, praised Sandra for the high standards she set in performing her various duties. "Whether it's preparing a menu for a special dinner, decorating a room for an important function, attending to all the details for commencement, or drafting a variety of written materials, I know I can depend on Sandra to complete the task well," he said. Sandra is survived by her husband, Linus; a daughter, Maureen P. (Dan) Allen of Alexandria, Va.; and two grandchildren, Lauren and Erin Allen. She is also survived by two brothers, William (Lois) Mann of Millville, Del., and Kevin (Sheree) Mann of Lewisberry, Pa.; a sister, Kathleen (Richard) Lepley of Ashburn, Va.; an aunt, Margaret Mann of Lewiston; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 15, at 11 am at St. Peter RC Church, 600 Center St. Lewiston, with the Rev. Msgr. Robert Zapfel officiating. Please assemble at the church. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter Church Capital Campaign, the Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. Institute for Civic Engagement at Niagara University or the Lewiston Public Library Foundation.