Sandra Gay Bohannon - Obituary

Sandra Gay Bohannon, a resident of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away April 29th at Virginia Hospital Center, at the age of 86. Born in St. Albans, West Virginia, she lived throughout the United States, as well as in Germany, France and Iran, as the daughter and spouse of U.S. Armed Forces veterans. Upon leaving WV, Sandy travelled to different military duty stations throughout the U.S. and took every opportunity to be a part of the community taking advantage of numerous roles in the public schools, her churches, and community health services. In the 1960’s, she was employed with the paper and printing industry and began a career in marketing with the national chain of Montgomery Ward stores. Sandy also enjoyed the cultural education and opportunities afforded in Europe and the Middle East, a highlight being employed as an English instructor for The Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) cadets in Tehran, Iran; she cherished her many Iranian friendships. Upon moving to Indiana, she worked with the L. S Ayres and Company, a regional department store chain whose flagship store and headquarters were in Indianapolis. In 1979, Sandy entered government service with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as a revenue officer. She eventually became an IRS EEO representative insuring fairness in all aspects of employment including promotion, evaluation, transfer, assignment, training, benefits, and separation by ascertaining all employment decisions were based on merit, qualifications, and IRS business needs. Sandy retired from government service after 20 years with the IRS in 1999. Sandra was a devout Catholic and firmly believed in her faith which sustained her through many of life's trials and tribulations. Her positive outlook and inner strength allowed her to overcome personal challenges. While living in Indiana, she was a lay clergy at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, where she volunteered with various programs including food drives; work with the AIDS population, the poor, homeless and immigrants. She believed in giving back to the community, which she did with great energy and enthusiasm. Sandy loved animals, especially poodles, which she bred. Many of her poodles became beloved family members. She also went on to enjoy time in her retirement with her family: sleepovers with her granddaughters; and numerous activities that included travel, antiquing, and creative hobbies, among them sewing, crocheting, jewelry making, and gardening. She was incredibly bright, artistic and talented, and her greatest joy was being a grandmother, and most recently a great grandmother. Those great- grandchildren were the joy of her life! Sandra Bohannon was an active resident at Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads where she lived for eight years. She kept a garden box, taught a jewelry making class in the art department, as well as to residents in assisted living, and contributed ideas for social events that benefited the entire Goodwin Community. She was an avid reader and enjoyed the library at Goodwin House and their relationship with the Fairfax County Library system. She made many friends among residents and staff alike and considered Goodwin House her home. Sandra is pre-deceased by three of her children and survived by a daughter in WV and a son and daughter in law in VA; numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her immediate family and friends, and her Goodwin House family. A memorial service is planned for a later date.