Obituary of Ruth "Sandy" Rosenberg-Cavanagh

The funeral service will be streamed live on Wednesday at 12 PM. If you wish to view the prayers at the funeral home please follow this link: sandy.watchhere.live/ 

ROSENBERG-CAVANAGH, RUTH "SANDY" (Nee Blustain) of Northport, N.Y. and West Palm Beach, F.L. - April 12th, 2021. Retired teacher and Assistant Superintendent – Kings Park Central School District. Sandy was born on December 8, 1946 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Beloved daughter of the late Eleanor (Nee Schaffer), teacher, and Doctor Jonah Blustain, professor of Social Studies Education at N.Y.U. Beloved wife and best friend of Thomas R. Cavanagh. Devoted mother of Laura Pomerantz, Centerport, N.Y. and Richard (Allyson) Rosenberg, Scarsdale, N.Y. Beloved stepmother of Sean Cavanagh, Kings Park, N.Y., Erik (Christina) Cavanagh, Smithtown, N.Y. and Ryan (Kaila), Newtown, C.T. Dear sister of Harvey (Melinda) Blustain. Loving gram and grandma to her ten grandchildren Jeffrey, Ryan, Ethan, Hannah, Owen, Emily, Sarah, Olivia, Declan, and Lyla. Also survived by her nephews and cousins. Sandy was very proud of her two children. Laura followed in her mother's footsteps and became a teacher, and her son Richard pursued a career in business. Sandy was a consummate professional and will long be remembered for her intelligence, wit, humor, and compassion with which she lived her life.

Sandy graduated from Fox Lane High School in Bedford, N.Y., then studied and graduated with a degree in English and French from N.Y.U. in 1968. During her junior year at N.Y.U., she spent her summer in France to study at the Sorbonne University and immersing herself in everything French. Upon graduation from N.Y.U., she started her teaching career in the New York City Public School System teaching French. She also received certification as an English and Spanish teacher. In 1980, Sandy was hired at the Kings Park School District in the Middle School as an English teacher. In 1996, she was appointed to the Principal of the Alternative High School. In 1999 and until her retirement in 2007, Sandy was the Assistant Superintendent of Personnel and Curriculum.

Prior to retiring, Sandy was an Adjunct Professor for new teachers at Stonybrook University and continued to do so after her retirement from the School District. She was a creative kid-centered educator whose leadership as a teacher and administrator brought many innovative changes to the Kings Park School District. Her creativity was reflected in her fashion flair, her published works, and her love of languages.

On July 1, 2015, Sandy was fortunate to undergo a successful heart transplant. In 2020, Sandy was diagnosed with kidney failure which ultimately led to her passing in 2021.

Sandy was fortunate to find the love of her life in her husband Tom. Together, they enjoyed a busy and productive retirement in New York and Florida replete with travel, book and movie clubs, and visits with friends and family. When she wasn't busy playing Words with Friends and Mah-Jong or working with the League of Women Voters, she could be found casino hopping with her son Richard.

The family would like to thank the Montefiore Hospital transplant team, headed by Doctor Ulrich P. Jorde, as well as all of the doctors and nurses at Montefiore Hospital, Doctor Jeff Matos (Cardiac Electrophysiology) and Doctor Michael Brodherson.

Friends and family may visit Tuesday, April 13th, 3:30-7 PM at Nolan Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Ave, Northport. Funeral service 12 PM, Wednesday, at the funeral home. Interment St. Philip Neri Cemetery, East Northport.

The family will also sit Shiva at Richard & Allyson's home, 6 Scarsdale Farm Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583 on Thursday from 12-5 PM, Friday from 2-8 PM and Saturday from 12-5 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations to Sandy Rosenberg Scholarship Fund, care of Richard Rosenberg, 6 Scarsdale Farm Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

The family will hold a celebrationg of her life at a later date, hopefully this upcoming summer.