Jeanne E. Sands, 75, died October 8 at St Francis Hospital in Hartford. She was born in Bridgeport on November 27, 1940, daughter of the late Jennie (Choka) and Ferdinand  DeClement, and had been a Harwinton resident since 1974. She was the beloved wife of John H. "Jack" Sheedy.

In addition to her husband, her brother, Fred DeClement of Newtown; her four sons, Ronald Webb of Manchester, David Webb of the Philippines, Stephen Webb of Torrington, and Matthew Aeschlimann of Winslow, Maine; six granddaughters, Dawn Webb of Hawaii, Wednesday Webb and India Webb, both of Torrington, Jenna Petrovic, Alexa Petrovic, and Anna Petrovic, all of Winslow, Maine; four grandsons, Dylan Webb of Hawaii, Kyle Aeschlimann of Winslow, Maine, and Mikael Petrovic and Robert Petrovic, both in the United States Navy; and an uncle survive her.

She was a Newtown High School Class of 1959 graduate, taught writing and poetry, and authored the poetry memoir, "Gandy Dancing," in 2009. She wrote profiles and other essays for The Register Citizen, the Litchfield County Times, and other area publications. Ms Sands also penned "Nutmeg Nuggets," a column about the Nutmeg Conservatory in Torrington.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. The Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect Street, Torrington, is in care of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Nutmeg Scholarship Fund, c/o The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts, 58 Main Street, Torrington CT 06790.

To offer an online condolence, visit gleesonryanfh.com.