Sandra Jean Pedersen of the Lake Lenape section of Andover, N.J., was called home to her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. She was 81.
Sandy was born in Marseilles, Ill., to the late Samuel and Elsie (Pearson) Farmer. She grew up in Marseilles and attended St. Olaf College, where she met and married Christian Pedersen in 1960. They moved to Sparta, N.J., and started their family there, before moving to Andover in 1970.
Prior to her retirement in 2008, Sandy worked for 30 years at Family Christian Stores, formerly known as the Faithful Source. She was an active member at Lafayette Federated Church and was a trustee, music committee head, choir member, a part of the women’s trio, and an active participant in Bible studies there. When her kids were young, she was a class mother and her kids’ biggest fan.
The two most important aspects of Sandy’s life boiled down to her love for the Lord and for her family. These two facets controlled all that she did. Sandy asked Jesus into her heart as a teenager, but it wasn’t until she and Chris came to Lafayette Federated Church in the mid-1970s, that her faith really started to blossom. Around this time, she also began to work at the Christian bookstore. Every part of her life was immersed in the Lord. The music she listened to, the books that were read, and many family activities were chosen because of her love for Jesus. She had an eternal perspective and she and Chris wanted their marriage and family to be centered on Him.
Sandy also loved her family with all of her being. She used to affectionately call them her “nest.” She was always happiest when her nest was all together. On the front door is a sign that reads “Nana and Pop Pop’s nest...where the flock gathers.” This ‘mother bird’ was a faithful attender of all of her kids’ and her grandkids’ games. You could always find her in the stands cheering them on. She loved to make holidays special and worked hard to make her home a place that was a haven of love and comfort. Sandy was so proud of her family, and nothing on earth, apart from the Lord, meant more to her. Everything that she did was for their benefit; to show support, love and to ease whatever difficulties they may be going through.
Sandy was selfless and usually had other people in mind. She was very generous to those around her and loved to support missionaries and supported several children from Compassion International. Sandy was very personable and transparent and was not afraid to show her weaknesses. Everyone felt comfortable around her and she easily gained other’s respect and appreciation. As a cancer survivor, she also helped and encouraged many people as they went through the struggles of cancer treatment. She was always positive and upbeat and possessed a quick and heart-warming smile. Sandy will be greatly missed, not only by her family, but by the many that knew her as a friend.
The beloved wife of over 60 years of Christian Pedersen, Sandy is survived by her children, Erik Pedersen and his wife, Bahira, and Karin Burke and her husband, Brian; her grandchildren, Kristian Pedersen, Kirsten Pedersen, Connor Pedersen and Aaron Burke; her brother, Donald Farmer and wife, Elaine; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, she is predeceased by her daughter-in-law Dora Pedersen.
All services were held under the care and direction of Smith-McCracken Funeral Home. Sandy’s final resting place is located at Sparta Presbyterian Methodist Cemetery in Sparta.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Christian School (ncsnj.org), Veritas Christian School (veritasnj.org), or the Lafayette Federated Church (lfc.org).