Obituary of Sandra J. Rivera

Sandra J. Bender Rivera, 67, formerly of Third Avenue in Lansingburgh (Troy, NY) and currently of Lake Katrine, NY, affectionately known to her dear family and friends as “Sandy”, peacefully entered into eternal life after a brief illness on Monday, June 1, 2026 at Kingston Alliance Hospital in Kingston, NY.

Born and educated in Troy, NY, she was the daughter of the late Harvey S. and the late Pauline T. Waters Bender.

Sandy had been employed as a Peer Counselor at The Lansing Inn in Lansingburgh and had previously been employed at Joseph House and Unity House.

Sandy enjoyed many things in life, such as, crocheting, arts & crafts, family outings, baking and decorating cakes, fishing, card games and especially loved Bingo.

Wife to Salustiano “Sule” Rivera, mother of Shonda L. Williams, Jason S. Bentley, and Juan J. Rivera, sister to Pauline T. Brunick, Deborah J. Louder, Elizabeth R. Phillips, and the late Frederick S., Harvey S. Jr. and David R. Bender, loving grandmother of Jason Bentley, Jr., Damien Bentley, Alexis Bentley, Dante Bentley, Lacey Bentley, Aiden Bentley, Nasir Gordon, Justice Gordon, Ray Lynn Rivera, Gianna Rivera, and the late Joseph Cole, Jr., great-grandmother to Jakobe Gordon, also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to Calling Hours on Monday, June 8, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., 565 Fourth Avenue (at the corner of 115^th Street and Fourth Avenue, in Lansingburgh) Troy, NY 12182.

Interment will be held at the convenience of the family in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Colonie.

Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Lane, Latham, NY 12110, in memory of Sandra J. Rivera.

Please offer your Condolences or share a memory, which will be included on her Tribute Wall.