Mrs. Sandra Ann Cain

Mrs. Sandra Ann Cain, 82, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 6, 2024, surrounded in love by her family. Born in North Adams, MA, on September 8, 1941, the daughter of the late Nicholas and Christine LaCoy Pugliese, she graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1962. While Sandra had various jobs, she last worked as a receptionist for Longview Associates, a job she loved. It was from there that she retired, after many years of dedicated service. Sandra loved to say she worked many a job in her life. Between starting off as a candy striper at her local hospital, to being a factory worker in North Adams, a kindergarten teaching assistant, and even having her own car detailing business with her beloved husband Paul, she was a hard worker and always put her best into whatever she did. Among many things, she had a passion for arts and crafting. She always loved creating beautiful items, whether it be beautiful Victorian hats and displays, sewing handmade Christmas tree skirts, or making gorgeous lace and flower decor items. Her heart belonged in the Victorian Era. However, her two loves were making handmade Porcelain Dolls and Artisan Teddy Bears. She spent countless hours working with porcelain molds, firing each piece in a kiln, piecing them together, painting the faces, and hand sewing beautiful dresses for them to wear. With her beloved Teddy Bears, she created her own patterns and made the bears from scratch, from their construction to their apparel, all by hand. She truly was an artist at heart. In 2004, she was invited to the Ross Park Zoo Teddy Bear Artist Invitational Show in Binghamton, NY, and won an award for Best In Show. One of her most impressive teddy bears was modeled after Audrey Hepburn’s character in My Fair Lady. This bear was spotted by a Doll and Teddy Bear Museum staffer and purchased, and now that teddy bear permanently resides in the Susan Quinlan Doll & Bear Museum & Library in Santa Barbara, CA. It was an accomplishment that she was very proud of. If Sandra were asked what her greatest accomplishment was, she would have mentioned none of the above, but instead would have said her children. Her children were the most important part of her life and her dedication and love for them knew no bounds. Sandra is survived by her children, Kelley Ann Cain of Pittsfield, MA, Paul Cain, Jr., of Pittsfield, MA, and Shannon Cain Tumino, of Newport, RI. She also leaves behind her brother, Dennis Pugliese, of Clarksburg, MA, son-in-law, John Tumino, of Newport, RI, and a granddaughter, Sadie Rose Tumino, of Newport, RI. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Paul Cain, Sr. of Pittsfield, MA, brothers Robert Pugliese, of North Adams, MA and Joseph LaVigne, of North Adams, MA. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Mrs. Sandra Cain will be Tuesday, April 16, 2024, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11am at Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by the Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday, April 15, 2024 from 4pm to 6pm at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North Street, Pittsfield MA 01201. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sandra’s memory can be made to The Christian Center of Pittsfield.

Mrs. Sandra Ann Cain

September 8, 1941 - April 6, 2024