UPPER BURRELL, Pa. — Sandra Marie “Sandy” Johnson, 72, died on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, in her home. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bealko, and had lived in Upper Burrell since 1980, having previously resided in Holiday Park and Mamont.

An elementary school teacher, she retired from the Plum School District after 36 years. She received her Bachelor degree in education at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and her Master’s was in special education.
Sandy was a member of the Plum PTA, the Plum Education Association, the PSEA and the NEA. She enjoyed knitting, traveling, the Pittsburgh sports teams and time with her family and her faithful companion, Max.
She is survived by her daughters, Jennifer (Troy) Hand of Newsoms, Virginia; and Suzanne (Josh) Kogot of Panama City, Florida; grandchildren, Julia and Nathan Hand; sisters: Patricia “Patty” Yeo and Margaret “Peggy” (Russ) Nachtman; and nephew, Eli Whitney, the great-great-great-great-grandson of his namesake who invented the cotton gin.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her longtime companion, William Brown.
Friends will be received at the Rusiewicz of Lower Burrell Funeral Home, 3124 Leechburg Road at Alder Street, Lower Burrell, on Sunday from 2 p.m. until services at 4 p.m. by the Rev. Harold Mele.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley 533 Linden Ave., New Kensington, PA 15068.
www.RusiewiczFH.com.