Lover of family, the arts, bridge, and book clubs, Alexandra “Sandy” Katz died August 10th in Newport News, Virginia.
Sandy grew up in Philadelphia, surrounded by the music of her father’s world-renowned string quartet. She was a performer in her own right, a once-serious ballerina who shifted into acting before earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in theatre. She met Air Force Lieutenant Milton Katz (of blessed memory) during graduate school and spent 20 years as a military wife before he retired. The highs and lows of this time—from international travel and lifelong friendships to the pain of a husband away at war—shaped Sandy deeply.
Sandy was a gifted high school English, speech, and drama teacher whose passions transformed hundreds of students’ lives. She led thespian acting troops at Poquoson High School in Virginia and overseas in Germany while her husband served in the military. Many of her students went on to lead theater programs of their own, a testament to her lasting influence. Sandy cared deeply, always choosing the last row over the spotlight, never taking a bow so her students could have their moment to shine.
Ask Sandy about her family and she truly lit up. In fact, you never had to ask—the names of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were always on her lips. Sandy used to burst with pride for her children, Jordana K. Treadwell (Scott Jacobs) Deborah K. Rycus (Jeremy Rycus); her grandchildren, Brandon Ty Treadwell (Camron Treadwell), Abby Rebecca Treadwell, Carson Matthew Treadwell, Max Mitchell Rycus, Leo Charles Rycus; and her great-grandchildren, Jack Milton Treadwell, June Elizabeth Treadwell, Eloise Jo Treadwell.
It’s no wonder Sandy could quick-draw a mini photo album from her holster (handbag) in seconds.
Donations in her honor will go to build new theatre programs in under-resourced communities nationwide here https://giving.classy.org/campaign/716199/donate.
A memorial service in Sandy’s honor will be held August 19, 2025, 7 p.m. at Rodef Sholom Temple, 401 City Center Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606. You can follow the service via Zoom here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/875736081?pwd=bk5qQy85VnBoL01YR1FGTHZ2N1BhQT09
Meeting ID: 875 736 081
Passcode: 417581
Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
16 Comments
Thanks for sharing the family information, I knew Sandy from the Bridge Center. We played bridge. I am an Army spouse and we had lots in common. I was a schoolteacher, also.
I visited her in at the Chesapeake. She was a wonderful person and will be truly missed. Patsy Coats
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Deepest sympathy and on going Love to the family….it was my pleasure to meet and help Ms. Katz
while in my care at the Chesapeake.
I will never forget her and her love for clothes and shoes!! She had alot!
I always told her she could wear something different every day of the year…I will miss her deeply.
In the midst of a lackluster performance as a student I transferred to Pattonville High school in Ludwig burg Germany in 1978 as a senior I met Mrs. Sandy Katz. To me meeting her had the impact of the comet that ended the reign of dinosaurs some 66 million years ago. She and a few other world class teachers both conceived in me and nurtured a love of English, fine writing and the humanities and all things in between. Such was the extent of her pollination of my then starving mind that I am still very much a student of the arts to which she, in her patient graciousness introduced me. I can not begin to articulate what her loss means to me on a personal level. The wound is too fresh and raw to look at dispassionately. I will say that the stars seem dimer and the sun less bright since her passing. I am however happy to know with absolute certainty that she is once again with her beloved Milton. May God acknowledge the treasure he has added to his kingdom. She was a true friend and I will miss her till death closes my eyes. May God Bless our beloved Sandy Katz.
Oh, my belived Mrs. Katz. I know she is dancing with Milton now and telling everyone about “natural highs.” What an amazing lady and friend. What a witt. Such class. I cherish all the Forensic Club and drama class memories with her, but none more than our trip to England in ’95. She will be so missed but so incredibly remembered. Much love to JoJo, Deb, and the entire family. What an amazing legacy!
Sandy! How could you leave us so soon? You were truly one of a kind. We will miss your humorous irreverences, self-deprecating humor, quick wit, and grace. Huge gratitude and respect for getting our daughter through AP English. Give our love to Milton. I’m sure Arlington is going to be a place of much more fun once you two are together again.
Sandy was a lovely lady, and it was a privilege to know her.
Dear Sandy,
You were such a special friend. I remember when we first met for teacher orientation at the old Poquoson high school. It was the beginning of many years of friendship. We were buddies at PHS followed by Thomas Nelson CC. We carpooled our children and shared the ups and downs of parenthood. We formed a wonderful bridge group that lasted for many years.
When I joined Rodef Sholom, I was so happy to once again be with you and Milt. You and my sister Bonnie, were my family at RST.
As we both developed health issues, we ended up attending different services. But we always kept in touch.
I miss you dearly. You will always live in my heart.
Love,
Bev
I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to the family. Milton and Sandy were my neighbors on Westover Drive and they always had a smile and a welcoming wave when I saw them outside. May the family find peace in the days ahead and cherish all the sweet memories.
Milton and Sandy Katz family, Thank you all for sharing the gift of these two wonderful people in our community of Poquoson. We are all better to have known them and some of us even luckier to have worked with them in various capacities. God Bless you all and my prayers are with your family at this time.
Deepest sympathy for your loss…I will miss Ms.Katz
My favorite thing that she let me do is pick out her outfit for the day…she loved clothes and shoes.
I told her she could wear something different every day of the year!
I will never forget her..please girls,take care and thank you sharing your Mother with me.
Sandy was a neighbor for many years. She taught my son Tom and daughter Amy. Both enjoyed her classes. I loved her humor!!! The neighborhood misses her and Milton.
Myself and family send our deepest condolences to ALL who loved her.
Jean Nuttall (Deans)
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort and peace in God’s promise to swallow up death forever and wipe the tears from all faces. – Isaiah 25:8 Condolences
So sorry to just be hearing this news but want to express my sincere sympathy to Sandy’s family. My wife Karen Shepherd and I knew Sandy and Milton through the English/Drama department at Poquoson High School. Sandy and Karen traveled together with students for several years each spring break and Karen slipped into the drama and travel sponsor roles after Sandy retired.
Sandy led by example and was indeed a force of nature! She was blessed with the “presence” of a drill sergeant and the intelligence, good humor, and kindness to control and teach students in English, Drama, and good citizenship while abroad.
I will never forget her and am positive her “example” is a lesson her students will never forget!
The best teachers are the ones you think of every time you demonstrate something you learned from them. Here I am 40 years out of junior year high school English class and I remember Mrs. Katz fondly for teaching with so much passion. I am eternally grateful for the skills she instilled for a lifetime, especially grammar and writing. My condolences to her family.
It’s truly a butterfly effect when I think about the impact Mrs. Katz had on my life. I had her for two classes – Speech in the 9th grade and English in the 11th. The Speech class was one of two classes that were by far the most pivotal in my entire educational process and that included my undergraduate work in college.
The foundations for public speaking and being able to develop and be comfortable speaking in front of groups of people, whether it be a small board room, or an arena full of 18,000 people, started in her classroom in September of 1993.
Sadly, I was a mouthy kid back in the day and I never got the opportunity to come back and tell Mrs. Katz how much her class helped me on my broadcasting journey and apologize for being an immature 14-year-old freshman trying to make others laugh to the point of disrupting things.
She was truly a special person when it came to her penchant for education. I’m saddened to hear of her passing.
Dear Jordana and Debbie, so sad to hear about your liss. We were honored to know both if your parents z”l. We just saw a video of us together celebrating Passover. Loved your Mom passion… Sending yoy all our love.