Sandra S. Kirby

Sandra (Skarin) Kirby, age 83, of Ellington, CT, passed away peacefully and with family by her side on November 12, 2025, after a short illness. She was born on September 15, 1942, in Hartford, CT, to the late Howard and Evelyn (Moulton) Skarin. She was beloved by her entire family as the middle of three siblings, and grew up in East Hartford, CT, close to her aunts, uncles, cousins, and, where she made many lifelong friends. Sandy is predeceased by her sister Darleen Chick and remained very close to her younger sister Sherry Nason.
After graduating from East Hartford High School, she married Thomas G. Kirby and settled in East Hartford. Sandy began working for the State of Connecticut, which continued until her most important role in life as Mom. Years later she worked for the dialysis unit at Rockville Hospital and then with Davita, as a Health Unit Coordinator for over 40 years. Sandy made many friends and enjoyed working part time well into her retirement years. Sandy is predeceased by her brothers-in-law Clark Buffington and Ron Kirby, sister-in-law Donna Kirby, and will be missed by her in-laws, Bob and Carol Kirby, and Donna Nowsch.
Sandy and Tom moved to Rockville in 1970 and lived until the death of her husband in 2001. Sandy later moved to Ellington with her sister-in-law, Pat Buffington, who provided much support and love for her over the years. They enjoyed eating out at their favorite restaurants, visiting family and friends, going to movies, and sneaking down to the casino. It was a perfect scenario as they supported each other with their adult children and grandchildren also nearby.
Sandy became a huge sports fan over the years supporting her sons and grandchildren by watching countless basketball and baseball games. She was always in the stands and while Dad was the coach, Mom was our biggest fan, and many times with very knowledgeable opinions on what should and should not be happening. With all her grandchildren, we traveled as a family constantly and those were great times to share, love, and remember. Sandy’s favorite sport was basketball, and she loved her Huskies. She had her women’s and men’s games organized and we would get reminders and updates on schedules, results, and analysis on what transpired.
Sandy will be dearly missed by her sons and daughter-in-law, Thomas D. Kirby, and his wife Karen of Woodstock Valley, and Wayne H. Kirby of Ellington. She will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed by her grandchildren Samantha, Morgan, Matthew, Kyle and Josh. She was loved by her nieces and nephews very much, as well as their children, and they all have fond memories of time with her at family gatherings and special events.
Sandy was devoted to her lifelong girlfriends cherishing time together over visits, lunches and special events. She was a loving wife, mother and Grammy, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend who was always looking for an opportunity to spend time or go on an adventure with her immediate and extended family. Whether it was family trips to AAU events, Fort Myers Beach with her parents, Wells Beach, Maine for family and the annual cousin’s shopping trip, cruises with her brothers and sisters-in-law, or to Hawaii with her Aunt Flossie, her kindness and generosity will always be remembered.
Her burial will be private at her wishes, and a Celebration of Life will be held with family and friends later for remembrance and reflection. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory can be made to the Jimmy V Foundation (https://donate.v.org/), as cancer is a disease which has inflicted so many of our loved ones.

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