Mrs. Sandra J. (Surace) Yaghy, 70, passed away with her loved ones by her side on Monday, September 29, 2014 at Upstate University Hospital. Sandra was born in Utica, on June 19, 1944, a daughter of the late Anthony and Jennie (Cardillo) Surace. She was educated in local schools and a 1962 graduate of T.R. Proctor High School. On February 5, 1966, Sandra was joined in marriage to Albert G. Yaghy. Sandy and Al have enjoyed a close and loving union and were totally devoted to each other unconditionally for over forty-eight years. Sandra was a teacher's aide at Upstate Cerebral Palsy, a position she began in 1981. She truly loved her work and was totally devoted to her students. After twenty-two years of dedication to her work, she retired due to illness in 2003. A loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Sandy will be sadly missedby her beloved husband, Albert; son and daughter-in-law, Albert and Holly Yaghy, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; best friend and daughter, Jennifer and her husband, Andy Mastrangelo; her adored grandchildren, Taylor Yaghy and Andrew Mastrangelo; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sylvia and Tony Carlo, Felicia and Luke Medici, Joanne Marino, and Judy and Roger Bier; her brothers, Joseph Surace, Anthony Surace, and Clem Surace; many beloved brothers-in-law, sisters-in law, nieces, and nephews; her best friends, Billy and Donna Colucci, and Frank and Anita Cannistra; and a very special friend, Donna Shrey. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at Noon at Our Lady of Lourdes Church with private interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday 4 to 7 p.m. at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., corner of Mohawk St., Utica. The family would like to offer their deepest thanks to Dr. Sloan and the ICU staff on 6I at Upstate University Hospital, for the loving and compassionate care shown to Sandra and her family during her illness. For directions to the funeral home, click the link above.