Sandra Gladys Acker left this world on Sunday, August 21, 2016 from home with her husband by her side following years of living with breast cancer.

Sandy was born July 31, 1947 in Bridgeport, CT, to Robert and Gladys (Plude) Keyes. She grew up in Waltham, MA with her three brothers. On July 19, 1969, she married the love of her life, Richard L. Acker in Waltham, MA. They made their home and family in nearby Wayland, and shortly after moved to the Green Mountains, living in Corinth and then in Norwich, VT.

Sandy was a life-long learner and educator. After graduating from Waltham High she furthered her education at Framingham State Teachers College in MA. Throughout her 36 years of teaching she continued to learn and grow, receiving several Master's degrees from Johnson State College. In Vermont, Sandy taught at U36 in Corinth, and at Hartland Elementary School, where she pioneered and cultivated a multiage can-do classroom community.

Sandy's generosity was unparalleled, and she gave each child she met the gift of wonder - celebrating their uniqueness and encouraging laughter, love, and learning. She approached life with a positive attitude and inspired her many "can-do-kids" to do the same.

Her greatest joy came from her children, Amy and Nathan, and from the magic that came with being a grandmother. Sandy enjoyed spending time with family, creating traditions and joyful celebrations. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed just being in the company of books. She loved her many friends, especially those in purple hats. Sandy appreciated time in the flower garden, being at the ocean, and documenting and preserving her journey and legacy through photographs.

Sandy is survived by her husband Rich Acker of Norwich, VT; daughter Amy Gerhardt and husband Fritz of Newark, VT, son Nathan Acker and wife Julie of Thetford, VT, and her most precious grandchildren - Ben and Ada Acker and Abigail and Karenna Gerhardt. She also leaves behind her mother, Gladys Keyes, of Waltham, MA and her brothers Robert Keyes of FL, Chuck Keyes of AZ, and Mark Keyes of MA, and many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law whom she loved so dearly.

A gathering to share, remember, and celebrate Sandy's life will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 2:00 pm at her family's home on Bragg Hill in Norwich, Vermont.