Sandra Jean Finnerty, 70, of Port Orchard, WA passed away on March 12, 2026, in her home. 

Sandy was born June 19, 1955, in Youngstown, Ohio, daughter of Ward and Jean (Smith) MacTavish. She was a 1973 graduate of Hubbard High School and earned a Diploma in Nursing from St. Elizabeth Medical Center, School of Nursing in 1983. 

Sandy began her career as a Ward Clerk in Labor & Delivery at St. Elizabeth’s. After graduation from nursing school, she worked at St. Elizabeth’s in the Coronary Intensive Care Unit. She also worked in various nursing roles at Saddleback Medical Ctr., Laguna Hills, CA; Sharp Chula Vista Medical Ctr., Chula Vista, CA; Kaiser Permanente Call Center, San Diego, CA; Medical Imaging at Harrison Medical Ctr., The Doctors Clinic, and Harrison Cardiology Clinic in Bremerton, WA. 

She is survived by her husband, Terence (Terry) Finnerty, CDR, NC, USN (Ret) whom she married on December 8, 1979; her daughter, Kelly Finnerty, her brother, William Ford and his wife Karen, and 28 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. 

Sandy had an infectious smile and personality. Her kindness, strength, and generous spirit will be remembered by all whose lives she touched. Sandy had a passion for cooking and never met an animal that she didn’t love, especially Highland Cows, puppies, and kittens. She loved to travel with her family. Her favorite memories were riding the Falkirk Wheel and seeing the Kelpies in Scotland, visiting Highclere Castle and crossing Abbey Road in England, visiting every church she could in Rome, riding the train from Paris to Kaiserslautern, taking a road trip in Ireland, visiting Japan, and giggling the entire time on a dog sled ride in Chena, Alaska.

If so inclined, the family suggests donations to Pony Up Rescue for Equines (Olalla, WA), St. Judes Children’s Hospital, or your local PBS TV Station. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick Church; Hubbard, Ohio on May 5, 2026 at 11am.