Our mother, Merle Sands, passed peacefully at home on November 4, 2023.  Merle was born January 10, 1936, to the late Howard and the late Consuelo Mae (Shook) Cornell, was a lifelong resident of Syracuse, and a 1953 graduate of Onondaga Valley Academy. She was a homemaker when her children were very young and would later work as a secretary for the Disabled American Veterans Organization, senior activities coordinator at the Rosa Coplon Skilled Nursing Facility, Upstate Medical Center, and in private health care until age 75.

Mom, Gramma, Nana, went above and beyond to make holidays, birthdays, and other occasions extra special for family and friends. She had a creative flair for holiday decorating, all things Irish, homemade cakes, and comfort food, and was known for her beautifully decorated cookies.  She attended as many birthday parties, performances, graduations, and life celebrations as possible to show her love and support.

Merle was a good friend to her Onondaga Blvd. neighbors and took joy in hosting coffee hour, bingo, and parties the last 12 years. She loved watching and feeding the birds and wildlife outside her pretty, plant filled window.

She is predeceased by former husbands, Charles E. Watrous and Harold B. Sands, granddaughter Lindsay Pigula, son Charles Watrous Jr., and son-in-law James V. McMahon.

Merle is survived by her 9 children, Lynne Tesori (Joe), Kathleen McMahon, Sharon Robertson (Anthony), Jay Sands (Carrie), Mark Sands, Tammy Pigula (Tom), Michelle Sands (Narciso), Sandra Sands, and Jennifer Cage (Brian); 25 grandchildren, Billy Shaw (Nicole), Christina Wright (Richard), Michael Robertson (Casey), Joseph Tesori Jr. (Sarah), Jaclyn Tesori, James McMahon (Alyse), Kelly, Katherine, Patrick, Allison, and Sara Sands, McKyle and Mason Sands, Jason Martinez, Amanda (Luis) and Danielle Pigula, Andrea Sands (George), Marisa Martinez, Sean, Antonio (Kelly) and Marcus Walker, LaCross, Tyler (Leandra), Xavier, and Briana Cage. She is also survived by 28 great-grandchildren: Aaliyah, LaCross III, Melody, Oaklyn, Charles, Anthony, Aubree, Ethan, Anthony, Max, Jackson, Nolan, Niahtazia, Aria, Mon'ey, George Jr., Ella, Sophia, Gunnar, Kennedy, Karter, Celia, Noah, Noelle, Lillian, Isabel, Ellie, and Ariana.

The family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate care of Hospice of CNY and all those who provided comfort in her final days.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm at Maurer Funeral Home, 300 Second St, Liverpool, NY 13088. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Church, 259 E. Onondaga St, Syracuse, NY 13202 on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 10:00 am. The Rite of Committal and burial will take place in Onondaga Valley Cemetery.

Please sign the Maurer Funeral Home online guestbook for Merle to express your condolences to her family.