Sandra Jean (Asoian) (Sheperd) Goldman, 84, of Methuen, MA, passed away from cancer on March 23, 2022, surrounded by her family in her home. She was the daughter of the late John "Archie" and Rose "Hum" (Loosigian) Asoian.
Raised and educated in Andover, MA, Sandy graduated from Punchard High School and Fanny Farmer Culinary School in Boston, MA. She became the head chef at the Whistling Oyster Restaurant in Ogunquit, ME where she prepared meals for the likes of Bob Hope and other celebrities who were performing in Ogunquit Playhouse Theater. For years, she was the designated troubleshooter of all the New England restaurants in the Woolworth stores. After Woolworth’s, she was the director for the employee food service program for the Andover Companies until her recent retirement.
Sandy lived to entertain and was always the life of the party. She hosted many gatherings at her home for family and friends and she loved to have a great time, whether it was with her husband, Jerry Goldman, and their close friends, Sam and Laurie Messina, through the American Wine Society or traveling with her childhood friend, Olga Sarkesian.
Sandy's family and friends believe this sentiment describes her outlook on life perfectly:
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly
used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, Wow! What a ride!"
Her exuberant presence will be missed by all.
Predeceased by her parents, her brother, John M. “Sonny” Asoian, and her husband, Gerald Goldman, Sandy is survived by her daughter, Parris Sheperd-Pitts and her husband, Walter of Auburn, ME; grandchildren: David Sheperd and his wife Alicia, Robert Sheperd, Victoria Perez and her husband Anthony, Jacob Sheperd, Santo Sheperd-Pitts, and Lily Sheperd-Pitts; her great-grandchildren: Graham, Hayley, Gabriella, Amelia, and Sophia; her brother, Richard G. Asoian and his wife Peggy of Andover; the widow of her brother John, Eileen Asoian of Methuen; many relatives; and close friends.
The family would like to express deep gratitude to the Loosigian family, for their time devoted to helping Sandy these past five months since her diagnosis, as well as the Merrimack Valley Hospice nurses.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Sandy’s name to her favorite charity, Tunnels to Towers via www.t2t.org.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Monday, March 28, 2022, from 4:00-8:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen. Her service will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in West Parish Cemetery in Andover.