Sandra Louise Buzzalini Collie

Sandra Louise Buzzalini Collie was born and greatly celebrated on February 15, 1950 in Syracuse, New York. Her parents, Arnold Dante Buzzalini and Marjorie Ann Jensen Buzzalini, took Sandy home to meet both sets of grandparents in Staten Island, New York. Reverend Sante Buzzalini and his wife Anna and Dr. Leif Jensen and his wife Alice, fell in love with tiny Sandy, their first born grandchild, and adored their special little girl as she grew into an amazing woman.

Sandy spent her formative years among New York, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. She consistently excelled academically and grew spiritually. One major highlight from her youth was a year-long student exchange program in New Zealand. Sandy deeply loved music and sang in youth and adult choirs and later led children’s music ministry.

Sandy began her collegiate studies at University of Tulsa and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Sophie Newcomb Memorial College at Tulane in 1972. She treasured her three children Kirsten (Josh) Collie Sanford of Little Rock, Jessica (Scott) Collie Jones of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and William (Ashley) Collie of Oakland, California and her six grandchildren: Walter, Theodore, and Lucy Sanford and Abigail, Isaac, and Clara Jones. As her own children grew, the Lord blessed her with children in her community to nurture, care for, educate, and love. She was a special mother/grandmother to many!

While she was active in many activities and organizations, Sandy’s main joys consisted of faith, family, and friends. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was a lifelong student of the Bible. She was a long-time member of Covenant Presbyterian Church PCA (Little Rock) and a member of their choir. Additionally, Sandy served for many years at Fellowship Bible Church in multiple ministries, Central Arkansas Christian School, and assisted families as an academic tutor for over 25 years. She will be greatly missed by so many including her prayer group friends, the students she tutored, the special families for whom she babysat, and her dear friends who met monthly for 45 years. She deeply appreciated beauty in this world including relationships, teacups, flowers, and scenic views. Sandy especially cherished her time at Lake Hamilton, the beach, and the mountains.

Sandy is survived by her sisters Linda Buzzalini, Nancy (Ed) Buzzalini Cash, and Judy Ostrander, and her aunt Dorothy Myhre-Donohue.

Her Celebration of Life service is Monday, May 26, 1:30 pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 1 Covenant Drive, Little Rock, AR 72211. Sandy much preferred celebrations over somber occasions and we welcome you to wear any colorful or traditional attire. In lieu of a formal visitation, the family welcomes your sharing of special memories and condolences via cards to be placed in a basket at the entry of the church or by mail at 16 Sologne Circle, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72223. Desserts and refreshments will follow the service, and all are welcome.