Sandra "Sandy" L.

Siracusa

GARDINER - Sandra L. Purcell Siracusa, 81, passed away peacefully Monday, October 26, 2026, after a short battle with ovarian cancer.

Sandy was born September 23, 1945, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Andrew and Mary Purcell.

Sandy married Richard Siracusa Sr. on December 14, 1963. Sandy and Richie built an army of friends and family over nearly 63 years of marriage.

Meme, as she was known to most, spent her early life in Yonkers, New York where she was a homemaker. She also worked at her niece’s shop doing dog grooming.

She spent many great years with family and friends on the stoop and in the field on the block of Hawthorne Avenue. Many neighborhood children were ‘raised’ by Sandy in those settings.

Meme moved to Gardiner in 1983 where she quickly became part of the community. She worked at C. Capraras in Winthrop before becoming a waitress at Dave’s Diner and manager at McDonalds in Gardiner. She met many people who became friends from those places.

Meme loved playing Bingo, going to the beach, crocheting, shopping, going to 6 o’clock Sunday night cocktails, having Thursday night dinner with friends, traveling and spending time with family and friends in her backyard.

But most of all Meme loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was front row for all the games, dance recitals, plays, musicals and activities. Her legacy will live on through them.

She was predeceased by her son Anthony, her parents and her sister Barbara.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 63 years Richard Siracusa Sr., her sons Richard (Samantha Atwater), and Robert and her daughter Sandra Pooler (Mark). Six grandchildren Amanda Pooler, Kristen Kelley (Ryan), Jaden Siracusa Sr., Nicholas Pooler, Samuel Siracusa and Michael Pooler; five great-grandchildren, Jaden Jr., Ripley, Wren, Crew, and Reptar. Also, her brothers Andrew and Richard and a sister Karen along with many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and bonus grandchildren along with numerous lifelong friends.

Meme’s village will miss her terribly and a huge void will be left in the community.

We invite family and friends to visiting hours from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 24, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Avenue. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 25th, at 11 am at the same venue, followed by a celebration of life at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Spring Street, Gardiner.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staple Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, www.staplesfuneralhome.com