Sandra Bellrose

Enosburg Falls - It is with a broken heart that I, Casey Bellrose, her loving daughter, and her loving, devoted husband, and soulmate of 67 years of marriage together since grade school, announce the passing of Sandra Jean Bellrose, age 84, at her home in Franklin at The Homestead on Monday July 13 ,2026.

She was born on September 20, 1941, in St. Albans to the late Basil and Lillian (Thibault) LaFleur.

Sandy enjoyed many activities, such as cooking, baking, reading, walking, and bowling. She started cross country with Al and then both advanced to downhill skiing. They enjoyed going to Jay Peak for their skiing adventures. Sandy and Al were also golfers, and both were members of the Richford Country Club.

Sandy had a love for music, not only did she attend a couple of concerts with her daughter Casey for Reba McIntyre and Brooks & Dunn, she also enjoyed going to Montreal with her longtime neighbor and friend Mandy Guilmette to see Yanni.

Sandy's love for ice skating was shown through her teaching ice skating mini courses at Richford Elementary School.

She attended many ice shows in New York to watch her favorite skaters along with her daughter Casey.

Throughout their marriage Sandy and Al were fortunate to travel around the world, visiting destinations such as Hawaii, London, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Grand Canyon, Denver, Arizona, and Yosemite National Park. They enjoyed a two-week train excursion through the Canadian Rockies all the way to Victoria Island.

They often traveled to New York with their daughter Casey and their granddaughters Paige and Alyssa to watch their granddaughters perform at the site of Grant's Tomb. These trips also included a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. (Al was an avid Red Sox Fan and even wore his Red Sox hat to the Yankee Stadium. He would receive many negative looks and comments, but he did not care. He was a man's man, and Sandy loved that about him.

They went to see Mama Mia on Broadway, visited the 911 Memorial Site the Brooklyn Bridge and the South Sea Port located in the historic lower Manhattan neighborhood on the East River.

Another well-known fact about Sandy is she loved to gamble. She and Al often went to the Akwesasne Mohawks' Casino Resort in Hogansburgh NY. Her excitement while winning was felt by everyone around her.

She and Al's last visit to the casino was in March of this year.

Sandy's lifelong work and passion was her para educator position at the Richford Elementary School where she taught for over 30 years.

She took immense joy in giving young people with special needs a good start with their educational life.

Sandy not only taught the students their schoolwork, but also helped them to achieve their success. She took them under wing to help them, counsel them and would even bring "her kids" as she called them, treats and little toys, making them each feel special and unique.

Sandy always reached out to give to others, which was just the kind of person she was.

Sandy and Al met in grade school. She used to ride on the handlebars of his bicycle. She tutored him in History, not one of Al's favorite subjects. Al only did it to spend more time with Sandy and ended up with a high passing grade. They became high school sweethearts, went to prom together and became one of the most beautiful couples admired by many for their love and devotion to each other.

Sandy's parents would not allow her to be married until she was 18. Her birthday was September 20, so on September 26, 1959, she and Al married. She wore her prom dress and Al wore his white jacket and black pants from their prom.

Al was a catholic and Sandy was a methodist, so they were married by a Justice of the Peace and after a reception in Highgate, they honeymooned at the Pines in Plattsburgh then to Fort Ticonderoga, Lake Saranac and then at Lake Placid.

A novel could be written about their unconditional love and devotion.

Their marriage was one of the magical love affair that ever existed. From grade school to high school sweethearts, to husband and wife then to parents, grandparents, and finally great grandparents.

Sandy is survived by her devoted husband Al, their two children, a daughter Casey Bellrose, a son Schayne Bellrose, two granddaughters Paige and her husband David Oppenheimer and Alyssa and her husband David Orr.

She also is survived by a grandson Schayne Bellrose Jr.

Also left behind are three cherished great grandsons Max aged 5, Milo aged 3- and two-week-old Maverick.

She was predeceased by her parents and by her sister Carol Parah, her brother-in-law Arnold Parah and her two brothers, Basil LaFleur Jr and Stephen LaFleur.

Per the family's wishes all services are private.

For those who wish, contributions in Sandy's Memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association 75 Talcott Road Suite 40 Williston Vermont 05495

Condolences, photos, and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com.