Santa Barbara Milton

santa  milton

January 23, 1930 ~ January 5, 2021

Born in: Rochester , NY
Resided in: Greece, NY

 

Santa Barbara (Mugavero) Milton was born on January 23, 1930, the daughter of Sicilian immigrants Antonio and Rosaria Mugavero.  She shared a modest dwelling at 243 Fourth Street in Rochester, NY, with her siblings who predeceased her:  Joe(Anne) Mugavero, Lou(Terry) Mugavero, Mary (Joseph) Saporito, Christopher (Josephine) Mugavero, John (Jeanette) Mugavero, and Sam (who passed away at 8 months old).  All of her brothers proudly served in World War II.

A student of #27 school and graduate of East High School, “Sandy” upon graduation worked in the “Green Light” Dark Room at Kodak.  Sandy met Howard John Milton (a former World War II Paratrooper and Radio Operator)  in 1953 at a dance.  They were married on November 6, 1954 and shared 66 wonderful and challenging years together.    Their commitment to each other was and the family they dedicated themselves to was awe-inspiring.  Sandy literally sacrificed everything to serve her family, especially her husband.

Sandy and Howard devotedly parented four children:  Mitchell (Carol) Milton, Sharon (William) Rowe, Jim Milton, and Laurianne (Matthew) Dobbins.    She worked in the Food Service Departments of both Monroe Community College and Rochester Institute of Technology to allow her children to attend those colleges tuition-free.  She took many college courses and became an aspiring artist in calligraphy, watercolor, sketching, mosaics, and stained glass sharing many of her her works with family and friends as tokens of love.  Sandy was so proud of the accomplishments of her grandchildren:  Christopher, Daniel, Kimberly, Michelle, Jason, Nicholas, Angel, Zachary, Nina, Luke, Isaiah, Thaddeus, Jeremiah, and great grandchildren:  Jett and Greyson.  She loved to spend time with each of them when the opportunities arose and shared her wisdom, wit, laughter, and love.  Sandy left a multitude of nieces, nephews, friends, and acquaintances forever changed by their interchanges.

Sandy and Howard traversed the United States many times both with their children and also after retirement.  They spent 25 years as snowbirds at Rambler’s Rest Resort in Venice, Florida, after retiring from their work in 1987.  While there, both were involved in recreation and musicals displaying their many talents.  Sandy especially loved playing competitive pool and being on stage tap-dancing and performing dramas.  She participated in several cruises  to Europe.

God gifted Sandy with many gifts:  A unique perception into human character.  The ability to engage in conversation with people whom she had never met.    The ability to make others feel as if their expressions and feelings mattered.   The wisdom to know how to speak into situations and when to be silent.  Sandy had wit.  She was sunshine on some very cloudy days.  She was intriguing.  She held to her principles.  She always wanted to do what was right irregardless of the consequences.   She made you think and ponder and challenge your assumptions.  She had a strong, unique faith in God .    She was not easily persuaded.  She was resilient and tenacious  to the end.  To know her was to love her.   She impacted everyone whom she met.  Our world has lost a most beautiful and irreplaceable soul. 

The family will be celebrating Sandy’s life in a  private funeral service and burial .

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Guestbook

  1. So sorry to hear this news. We lived across the street from Sandy for the last eight years. Wonderful lady always smiling so kind to us. Our hearts are broken. You will be sorely missed.

  2. So sorry for your loss. Loved her so much and even though we moved to Florida we always made sure to contact her and Uncle Howard. She certainly will be missed. Prayers for family. Xoxoxo. Love you guys. Betty Acheson

  3. Sharon I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She was an angel to us all. I will pray for you and your family.

  4. Laurie and Family, I wish to offer my most sincere sympathies as I will have your Mom and you in my prayers at this time. I can see from the beautifully written background on her life what a creative and loving person she was ! What a great testament to her and your loving family.
    Sincerely, John Larmann

  5. I will miss talking to her and sharing memories of our family. As kids she was the one that took us ice skating, sledging, the circus and many more events remembered as a child. She was so much a part of our family. Aunt Sandy was my Moms best friend and now she is with her and the rest of our dear ones with our Lord. With much love rest in peace Aunt Sandy for you will be greatly missed

  6. To all of the Milton family, my deepest sympathy to everyone. I loved Sandy. What a special person she was. I called Sandy once a week faithfully to let her know that her and Howard were always on my mind. I also promised my mom (Jeanette) the I would always stay in contact with Sandy. We lost a truly wonderful person.

  7. Early in my teaching career, I taught French at Greece Arcadia and met Sharon. Sharon stayed after school to help me with bulletin board displays. As a bonus to the times I drove Sharon home, I had the pleasure of getting to know her mother Barbara. I will always remember her kindness to me and her caring ways. I was so happy to able to reunite with her, Howard, and Sharon in the summer of 2019. Barbara has a place in my heat and in my fondest memories. May she rise in glory and Rest In Peace.

  8. When I remember Aunt Sandy she was kind, humble, loving, independent, resilient, and great sense of humor. Even though we weren’t blood related, she was always so kind and loving to my Sister Kathy as well as myself. She never allowed others to get in our way of our friendship all these years. Aunt Sandy is someone who I always looked up to, respected and so enjoyed her company whenever we would see each other. We could pick up wherever we left off and it seemed like our passing time never got in the way. We will truly miss Aunt Sandy until we meet up with her again at our passing of this earth. Absent from the body, present with God Jesus. I know he is holding her in His hands right now & watching over her family at this most difficult time in their lives. Thank you Sharon for also all your love and kindness over all these years & never forgetting us. To Aunt Sandy: Until we meet again. Mary & Bobby La Magro and Kathleen Culhane


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