VOORHEESVILLE — Sandra Jean (née Waters) Tesch — known as “Grandma Sandy” to the many children she babysat — “passed into eternal life” on Monday, May 3, 2021, her family wrote in a tribute. She was 80.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Geraldine Morrill Waters.

“Sandra was a loving, devoted wife and mother. She was a homemaker and loved children,” her family wrote. “Within the family, she was known for her delicious German potato salad and beautiful handmade quilts. With her husband, Bill, she enjoyed going on day trips, especially to the Mac-Haydn Theatre and church suppers with the New Scotland Senior Outreach.”

She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Albany. She also was a longtime member of the Albany County Chapter/Eastern District of the New York State Federation of Home Bureaus.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, William Tesch; six beloved children, Pamela Lupien and her husband, Leo, William Tesch and his wife, Susan, Alfred Tesch and his wife, Patricia, Charles Tesch and his wife, Victoria, Glen Tesch, and Amy Tesch-Layman and her husband, Michael; and 13 cherished grandchildren.

She is also survived by her siblings Kathryn Martin and her husband, Michael, Anna Howard and her husband, Richard, Kenneth Waters and his wife, Debra, Donald Waters and his wife, AnnMarie, Deborah Betz, David Waters, and Mark Waters.

She is survived, too, by her sisters-in-law, Mary Waters, Marilyn LaJoy, and Susan Denninger, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She also leaves behind lifelong friends Julie Breedlove, Mary Fantini, Barbara Sullivan, Sandra VanVorst, and Daryl Webb.

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Robert Waters, Carol Pisani, Earl Waters Jr., James Waters, William Waters, and Cynthia Waters.

Special thanks are extended to grandson Allan Tesch for his devoted care. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Rebecca Elliott of Delmar Family Medicine and Holly of The Community Hospice for their compassion and care as well as the nurses and doctors who came to the house.

Services were private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Community Hospice at communityhospice.org/donate or to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 75 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12209.