Obituary of Sandra L. Lasher

Allegany - Sandra Lee Lasher

            Sandra Lee Lasher, 76 years of age, passed on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at home.

            She was born February 14, 1943 in Rochester and was the daughter of Jeremiah C. and Margaret Henry Lasher. She is predeceased by her younger sister Linda Margaret Lasher.  Sandra was raised and enjoyed her youth in Hornell, where she graduated from High School in 1960.  The Lasher family enjoyed spending time at their cottage on Rushford Lake where they often celebrated Christmas in July complete with presents under a tree and turkey dinner. 

            Sandra graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in art and continued to get a M.Ed. at Saint Bonaventure University.  Formerly married to William C. Ronolder III, she leaves behind two children, William C. Ronolder IV and Christin Ronolder (Michael) Watt.  Sandra will also be missed by her granddaughters Margaret and Elizabeth Ronolder and dear friend the Reverend Lorna C. Smith.

            Sandra touched many students over the course of her career as the art teacher at Hinsdale Central School in Hinsdale and was a founding member of what was once known as the Olean Art Association. In the 1980’s she was called into the service of the Lord and was very active at Christ United Methodist Church (UMC) and Limestone UMC in Limestone among others.  When she retired from teaching in 1998 she moved to Glengary, WV and served at Ganotown UMC while pursuing her MDiv at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. 

            Upon graduation from seminary in 2002 Sandra returned to Western NY and served at the Belmont, Scio and Marilla United Methodist Churches before retiring in 2008.  She was one of the first female Ordained Elders in the United Methodist Church. She never stopped serving the Lord and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Olean. Sandra was known by many names including: Sancha, Cookie Baby, Mom and Mamaya. She will be remembered as an artist, counselor and spiritual person with a passion for learning and creativity.

            A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday May 25, 2019 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Olean.  In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in her honor to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York 14263 the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 7, Chicago, Illinois 60601, or Trinity United Methodist Church, 131 North 9th Street, Olean, New York 14760.

            Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State Street, Olean.  Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com.