Sandra I. (Rudzitis) Youngstrom

Mrs. Sandra I. (Rudzitis) Youngstrom, of Marlborough, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Friday, February 3, 2023 in her home. She was 65.

Born in Boston on November 18, 1957, she was a daughter of the late Romans and Silvija (Bertholds) Rudzitis. She graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1975 and continued her studies at Northeastern University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1980. Sandra was a resident of Marlborough since 1988.

Sandra was a Registered Nurse, spending her 40-year career helping countless people primarily in the Intensive Care Unit. She had worked at New England Deaconess Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, and most recently at Framingham Union Hospital.

Sandra's unconditional love was the center of her family, and she will be remembered by all for her kindness and joyful spirit. She made everyone around her feel better, and her laugh was unapologetically the loudest in every room. She found happiness in the simple pleasures of family, her pets, gardening, going to the beach, and floating in her swimming pool. She also found great comfort in her involvement with church. As a proud Latvian, Sandra cherished her heritage and passed on traditions such as name day celebrations and her mother’s homemade piragi recipe. 

When Sandra was faced with pancreatic cancer, she bravely confronted the disease with strength and unwavering faith. Her compassion and thoughtfulness made an impact on everyone who was lucky enough to cross paths with her. She always found ways to uplift those around her, whether it was family, friends, or even her chemotherapy nurses.

Sandra is survived by her beloved husband of 37 years, David W. Youngstrom of Marlborough; her children, Daniel and his wife Catherine of Burlington, Connecticut, Andrew and his wife Kristen of San Diego, California, and Michael and his wife Selena of Newton; her grandchildren, Cedar, Violet, and Bodhi; her sister, Violeta Lukosus and her husband Stephen of Waltham, and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Sandra’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham, on Thursday, February 9th from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held in First Church in Marlborough Congregational, 37 High Street, Marlborough on Friday morning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in The Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery, West Roxbury.

Memorial donations may be made to the MetroWest Humane Society, 30 Pond Street, Ashland.