Northampton, MA – Alexandra “Sandy” Bair Young, 90, of Northampton, MA passed away peacefully in hospice care on May 31st, 2026, surrounded by her loving, large, and noisy family and lots of music. Sandy was born to Irene and Clark Bair on August 27, 1935, in Harrisburg, PA, and graduated from Camp Hill (PA) High School. Married at 18, she had her fifth child shortly after her 25th birthday. But neither children nor repeated moves with the Navy stopped her voracious reading in ancient and modern history, art, archeology, psychology, Biblical studies, politics and government, and fiction. Sandy eventually went to Smith College, graduating as an Ada Comstock Scholar in 1977 magna cum laude, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and winner of the Dawes Prize for excellence in government, to loud cheering from her proud children. She then earned an MPA from UMass, was selected as a Presidential Management Intern, and worked at the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC. She returned to Northampton to become the Assistant Director of the Smith College Art Museum.
Sandy and the love of her life, Allan Hershfield, spent more than 35 years together until Allan’s death in 2022. Sandy is survived by her 5 children and their spouses, George (Eileen Burgin), Cynthia (Jim Farmer), Susan, Robert (Victoria Young), and Christopher Young (Brenda Brenner) (and her close neighbor and not-quite-6th child, Bill Cramer); 3 step-children, David (Desiree Felger) and Elizabeth Hershfield and Deborah Hershfield-Campos (Marcio Campos); 6 grandchildren, Hannah, Philip, Sarah, Sophie, Julia, and Lauren; 5 step-grandchildren, Daniel and Rebecca Farmer, Madison and Haley Hershfield, and Michael Campos; and 9 great-grandchildren. Her first husband, Dr. George Young, formerly of Northampton, died in 2021.
Sandy had a remarkable eye for beauty, whether in art, music, buildings, gardens, clothing, or design – and especially anything blue and white. An avid traveler, Sandy loved exploring different cultures and drew inspiration from them. But what most mattered to her were close friends, home (as reflected in the warm and elegant spaces she created that brought respite from the exuberance and chaos of a large family), and laughter, most notably in response to Allan’s stories, puns, imitations, and jokes, and in the raucous annual card games of “Oh, hell” with all of the Youngs and their life-long Navy friends, the Belows. And above all, and always, her family. Her accomplishments mattered, but she cherished her family. Nothing brought her greater pride or happiness than talking to and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She celebrated their accomplishments, supported them through challenges, and created countless memories they will treasure forever. But she was also a strict task-master: a weekly chores chart, thank you notes for every gift from grandparents, vocabulary words to learn, no TV on school nights, enforced practicing of piano, flute, trumpet, cello, drums.
Sandy faced many challenges throughout her life, all of which she met with extraordinary strength and resilience. Her determination, courage, and ability to persevere through difficult times inspired all who knew her. She met life’s hardships with dignity and emerged from them with wisdom and an even deeper appreciation for the people she loved. Sandy’s legacy lives on in the family she adored, the beauty she created, and the countless lives she touched with her kindness, strength, and generous heart. She will be deeply missed and remain in our hearts forever.
A celebration of Sandy’s life will be announced later. Should you wish to make a donation in Sandy’s memory, please give to a local food bank or arts organization.
Please go to Czelusniakfuneralhome.com for online condolences and tribute book.
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