SACO – Sandra Louise (Callahan) Doughty 77, of Saco, passed away comfortably on July 24, 2025, after an extended illness. She was surrounded by loved ones and the very caring staff of Gillis Way at Durgin Pines in Kittery Maine.

Sandy was born on April 8, 1948, in Lewiston to Alan and Helen (Waterhouse) Callahan. She graduated from Portland High School in 1966 and embarked on her long career in nursing.

As a CNA at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine she fondly recalled her time on the labor and delivery unit. She also ran a home daycare for 4 – 5 children. Laughter and creativity filled the days with finger painting, singing, storytelling and of course Sesame Street.

In 1984 she graduated from SMVTI and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Shortly after she began work as a charge nurse at Seaside Nursing & Rehab Center in Portland.

In 1992 she earned her second nursing degree from SMTC. As a Registered Nurse, Sandy continued her career at Seaside filling various roles including charge nurse, nursing supervisor, assistant director of nursing, and admissions coordinator.

Sandy was very proud to call herself a Registered Nurse, and of her 41 year career at Seaside. She loved to learn and adhered to the highest standards in quality and skill earning a national certification in geriatrics. As an RN-C Sandy loved to teach and mentor staff and the next generation of healthcare workers through her position of adjunct professor at SMCC where she put her creative skills to use designing and producing clinical simulations for her students.

Sandy was also a busy single mother; on any given weekend she could be found leading or attending myriad activities with her children. It all started by serving as a Cub Scouts’ den mother. In the 1980s she was involved in square dancing clubs through the Saco Recreation Department. She loved to organize parties, performances, and field trips for the teen group, Lucky Squares, and the youth group Miniature Promenaders. She belonged to the adult club, Sokosis Squares, where she enjoyed the chance to swish her petticoat and have a good laugh. She was also an avid fan of the Thornton Academy football team, spending every Saturday travelling the state rain or shine to cheer for her son and the team. Her rally cry was “Break his arm not his teeth!”.

Sandy was predeceased by her parents, Alan and Helen Callahan, Shirley Carswell, and grandparents Dalton and Lousie Ford and Sherman and Cora Callahan.

She is survived by Karin Wiley, son Eric (Ginny) Carswell, daughter Shannon (Lynn Barron) Munro; grandchildren Conrad and Hazel Carswell; sisters, Lynn-Gale (David) Rand of North Chelmsford, Mass., and Dawn (John) Trewhella of Plymouth, England and her brother Allen David (partner Hollace) Callahan of Santa Cruz, Calif. She is also survived by niece Sarah, nephews John and Scott (Carmen) Rand; and several great nephews.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Gillis Way at Durgin Pines where Sandy resided over the last two years. We are immensely grateful for their excellent care, patience, and the kindness they showed to Sandy and her family.

Those who knew Sandy may remember how she liked to be the leader in all situations. The Gillis staff always took the extra steps and extra time to assure Sandy that her choices mattered and that she would be well cared for. They respected her decisions and requests, always adapting their routines to her needs. This was especially meaningful as she got to know “the regulars”. It took a village to care for Sandy and we are especially grateful to “her” nurses Kerri, Bright, Amy, Carrie, and Kaitlyn. And to “her” wonderful direct caregivers Andrew, Stephanie, Jaime, Mia, and Kamoi.

We are also grateful to “Johnny Bonnie” for her friendship and expertise; the housekeeping and maintenance staff who were always up for a friendly chat; and the dietary staff who always answered the call and crafted a meal in minutes. Thank you to all of the people of the Durgin Pines Village.

A memorial service will be held Saturday August 16, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the North Saco Congregational Church 133 Heath Rd, Saco. Refreshments will follow in the church vestry and interment will be at Elm Vale Cemetery in Waterford, Maine.

We encourage everyone to bring a picture and a memory of Sandy to add to the collage at the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local food pantry