Kristina "Nina" Sancher

Kristina Gretchen Sancher, 76, of Lamar, TX and formerly of Woodmont, CT, beloved wife of Abraham Sancher, passed away unexpectedly on January 4, while traveling home from visiting family over the Christmas holiday.

“Nina,” as she was known for most of her life except on paper, was born on December 8, 1945 in New Haven, CT, the last of three children born to Glenn Roy Fugal and Olive Fugal. Nina grew up on the beach, the shores of Long Island Sound serving as her playground and the lapping of the tide lulling her to sleep at night. After graduating from Hamden Hall, she received her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport, and finished with a Masters in Education from the University of Utah. Nina put her education to work as a teacher in Orem, UT, Bryan and College Station, TX, and finally at East Shore Middle School in Milford, CT. During a teaching career spanning 30 years, she positively influenced the lives of hundreds of children who not only knew she expected their best, but who could unfailingly rely on receiving hers.

Nina met the handsome love of her life, Abraham, in 1966 on a blind date. They were then married on April 26, 1968 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple for time and all eternity. They have shared a lifetime of wonderful memories together as they raised and launched their six children. Nina was a devoted and committed wife and companion to Abe for nearly 53 years. They have traveled the world, visiting Hawaii, China, Australia, and Singapore as well as making dozens of road trips around the country to visit family and favorite places. Nina didn’t let a day go by without hard work, good healthy food, or fun memories. Her ability to be organized, provident, and productive was as unrivaled as her pie crusts and cinnamon rolls. Nina put into practice her much-quoted maxim that “anything worth doing is worth doing well.” As much as Nina aimed to impart these values to her family, she also prioritized teaching the importance of stopping for fun. If it snowed, you could bet that the Sanchers were off sledding. And in the summertime, you could count on hearing the sounds of the Sancher boat tearing across the waters of the Woodmont shores from dawn ‘til dusk. Nina weaved her many varied hobbies and activities together to create a life for herself that was satisfying and fulfilling. She enjoyed gardening, playing on the beach, canning, swimming, traveling, yard work, water skiing, running, reading, site-seeing, and enjoying her favorite holidays. She made Christmas magical and never surrendered her belief in Santa Claus. On Halloween, she would dress up as a witch, blacken her teeth, and go trick or treating to the neighbors.

 Nina treasured her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and devoted many years of her life in serving the children and youth of her local wards and stakes. The lessons she taught them about where they came from and the purpose of life were ones she strived to embody in her own daily living. She treated others the way she wanted to be treated. She loved God and tried to share this love with those around her.    

 Nina was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Jan, and parents-in-law Abraham and Katherine Sanchez. Nina leaves behind her husband Abe of Lamar, TX, and children Abe Sancher (Kate Cassidy) NY, Sarah Droubay (Ryan) UT, Anne Sancher TX, Gretchen Sancher CT, Tim Sancher (Beth) MA, and Samantha Sancher CT.  She leaves behind 7 grandchildren: Annie, Carson, and Rhett Droubay; Ava and Ella Sancher; and Willy and Abey Sancher. She also survived by her sister, Sara Newell (Dix) CA; and many many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, extended family members, and friends also mourn her passing.

 A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 in Rockport, TX.  

Calling Hours will take place on Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT and again on Friday, January 14, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 990 Racebrook Rd., Woodbridge, CT 06525. A Funeral Service will follow that morning at 11 a.m. at the church. Those who cannot attend the service on Friday may join us virtually by going to www.nextlevellivestream.com and clicking the red square button on the right side of the homepage to be directed to Nina’s service. Burial will follow at Kings Highway Cemetery, 271 Cherry St., Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

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