Sandra Welles

Sandra L. Welles Canisteo Sandra Lee (Scott) Welles, 80, of Orlando Florida, formerly of Canisteo, passed away Wednesday (January 22, 2020) at Cornerstone Hospice following a short illness. Born in Hornell, April 4, 1939, the daughter of Forrestt and Janet Scott she had resided in Hornell, Canisteo and most recently in Orlando, Florida. She was a graduate of Hornell Senior High School in 1957 where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Sandy attended the State University of New York at Potsdam where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She was a member of the Zeta Gamma Sigma Sorority. She taught elementary school briefly, before staying at home to raise her children. When they were older, she taught at the high school as an aide and then was a substitute teacher for many years for all the schools in Canisteo and the surrounding towns. She and her husband Larry, established the Good Times Café, a teen center, in Canisteo which they operated from 1988 until 1991. She was employed as the Activities Assistant at the Hornell Gardens for several years before moving to Florida in 2016. After that move, she became a substitute teacher for the elementary schools in Orlando. She sang in the Messiah and cantata for several years, was a member of the Canisteo Home Bureau, the First Baptist Church of Canisteo where she held many offices in the Church including trustee, secretary of the deacons and treasurer of missions and the memorial fund. She played the piano and organ at the church, had a children’s choir, and was a member of the church choir. She gave private piano lessons in her home to both youth and adults. Sandy was active as a Cub Scout Mother as well as Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was a member of both the Canisteo Chapter and the Hornell Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, and together, played piano for the chapters for over 50 years. Sandy enjoyed listening to classical music, Johnny Mathis, and could sing the music from all the Broadway musicals. After moving to Florida, she became a member of the Downtown Baptist Church of Orlando. She was predeceased by her parents, and her husband Larry J. Welles to whom she was married on July 22, 1961. She is survived by her daughters; Debra O’Shields and Amy Welles both of Orlando, Florida, her son David Welles of Seattle Washington, two grandchildren; Ryan and Robin O’Shields, her brother; Dr. Richard Scott and his wife Cheryl Scott of Washington, PA., as well as nieces and nephews. To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @ brownpowersfh. A Memorial Service will be held in Canisteo at a time to be announced in a later edition of the Spectator or on the funeral home’s website..