Sandra Dian “Sandy” Emerson Neveu, 58, went to be with the Lord Monday, Feb. 13, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Janesville, Wis., to Darwin E. and the late Dian Shawley Emerson, Sandy was raised in Youngstown, Ohio, where she graduated from Chaney High School in 1977. After graduation, Sandy served her country in the U.S. Army, where she played the French horn in the Army Band.
Her enlistment relocated her to Virginia Beach, where she fell in love with the beach. She always enjoyed the outdoors, whether it be watching the sunrise glisten on the water or the birds as they soared by. Sandy took six months off work to go fishing, camping and simply satisfy her lifelong love for nature. Her knowledge and love of the outdoors led to employment at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center, where she made lifelong friends. She retired from the City of Virginia Beach after 32 years of service where she supervised and worked for Public Utilities.
Sandy was also civic minded and cared about her community and local government. Whether you knew her from work, the beach, were part of the cast of characters at Nick’s (you know who you are!), or volunteering at VB Rescue’s annual Oyster Roast, you know that Sandy had a selfless nature and generous heart. Anyone who met her became a friend for life. Her unflinching inner strength and courage impacted those around her in a way that simply cannot be defined; you could always rely on her, and all of us will miss her beyond measure.
Left to cherish her memory are her father, Darwin Emerson; loving husband of 22 years, Daniel T. “Danny” Neveu; daughter, Kim (A.J.) Bernardo of Painesville, Ohio; grandchildren, Andrew, Timmy, Sarah and Paul; sisters, Susan Emerson, Cindy (Sam) Huffstetler and Sheri (Joe) Duff; aunts, Lee (David) Graap and Todd (Jim) Schott ; a host of nieces and nephews; and we can’t forget her dogs, Chase and Luke. In addition to her mother, Sandy was also preceded in death by her sister, Cris Emerson.
A memorial ceremony to celebrate her life will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Altmeyer Funeral Home – Maestas Chapel, 1801 Baltic Ave., Virginia Beach. The family will receive friends beginning at 3 p.m. prior to service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the SPCA in her honor.
Please visit www.AltmeyerFH.com to offer a note of condolence to the family.
