Image

Sandra Rae McElhattan Gustafson

sandra-gustafson-obituarySandra Rae McElhattan Gustafson, 74 of Arden, NC passed away peacefully at her residence, Thursday, April 3, 2014.

Sandy was born PA December 31, 1939 in Oil City, a daughter of John J. and Marian Russell McElhattan.

She was a graduate of Oil City High School with the class of 1957.

She attended Business Training College, now Point Park University in Pittsburgh before returning to Oil City, where she married Ronald E. Gustafson, and began to raise her family.

While in Oil City raising her three children she worked at various jobs including Chacona’s Restaurant, Tony’s Candlelight Lounge, and Reno Plastics, all while attending Clarion State College to earn a degree in education. She also played softball at the very beginnings of the Oil City Softball league with the Kathryn Genevieve team, named for the former clothing store in Oil City. Needless to say she was a very busy woman, and had the strength to keep everything together while furthering her education.

She graduated from Clarion in 1980, and began substitute teaching in area schools until receiving an assistance ship to attend Kent State University, where she earned a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology in 1985.

Sandy then took a position with the Charlotte, NC school district as a school psychologist. Most of her time there was spent at the Beverly Woods Elementary school from where she retired in 2006. She had many close friends from her days in Charlotte with whom she spent much time at the beach during summer breaks. She regularly came home to Oil City especially during Christmas and Oil Heritage Week to spend time with her many friends and family.

After her retirement she moved to Arden, NC to be closer to family and still enjoy the moderate North Carolina climate. Although she missed Charlotte and her many good friends there she was glad to leave the big city hustle behind. While in Arden she served a term as Treasurer and then President of the Condominium Association where she resided. She also became a master of jigsaw puzzles, she was an avid reader, enjoyed cooking and working in her small gardens. She was an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Asheville, NC, working at the Habitat Thrift Shop located there.

She was a lifelong member at Grace United Methodist Church and although living out of state she continued to receive the Grace Notes newsletter and kept tabs on the church in which she was raised as a child in Oil City.

She is survived by her three children, Ron Gustafson and his wife Nancy of Oil City, PA. Scott Gustafson and his wife Patty of Arden, NC, and her daughter Lisa Gustafson of Asheville, NC. Her grandchildren Erin Gustafson Bomboy and her husband George of Franklin, Matthew Gustafson and his wife Kaleigh of Oil City, William Gustafson of Oil City, Andrew Gustafson and Neil Gustafson of Arden, NC, along with two great grandchildren Max Gustafson and Noah Bomboy.

She is also survived by two brothers and two sisters, Terry McElhattan of Sinking Spring, PA, Bryan McElhattan of Plano TX, Donna Kaelin, of Denver CO and Jerry McElhattan of Oil City, along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Arrangements in North Carolina are being handled by the Groce Funeral Home in Arden, and in Oil City by the Morrison Funeral Home.

A Memorial Service will be held Monday, April 14th, at 2 pm in Grace United Methodist Church with the Rv. Byron K. Myers, pastor, officiating. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 pm in the church.

Interment will take place at Grove Hill Cemetery, at the convenience of the family.

Those wishing to make a memorial could consider a contribution to Habitat for Humanity, 33 Meadow Road, Asheville, NC 28803, or to Grace United Methodist Church, 100 Central Ave, Oil City, PA 16301.

Recent Articles

Community Partner