Loraine (Cookie) Lindberg Shand, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 with her family by her side. She left us too early, but to the end her strong spirit never wavered during a battle with cancer. Cookie was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be remembered for her tireless dedication to community, her caring nature for everyone she met, her constant grace, and love of teaching.

Born on January 21, 1943 in New Haven, CT, Cookie attended Branford High School and graduated from the University of Connecticut (BA) and the University of Madrid thru New York University (MA), with focused studies on education and the Spanish language. She studied for two separate years in her beloved Madrid, Spain. She met her future husband Ernest (Ernie) Shand during the summer of 1966 and they married on August 18, 1967. Theirs is a marriage that has inspired so many others. They moved to Ascutney, VT in 1973.

Cookie enjoyed a long career as an educator, first as a high school Spanish teacher in Connecticut, then as a special educator at the Weathersfield School. With her ceaseless determination, and over many years, she introduced, developed, and taught the first Spanish language program at the school, impacting the lives of so many students through both programs.

Her generous spirit and love for her community, friends, and family was constant. After moving her family to Vermont, she joined the Ascutney Union Church and became one of the first female firefighters on the Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department. She dedicated much of her time to both organizations throughout her life. She also spent many hours (where did she find this energy?) as an ardent fundraiser and patron of the Weathersfield Proctor Library. She found pure enjoyment as part of the Weathersfield Historical Society and her retired teachers group, ADK. The list could go on.

A valued friend, she was also a devoted aunt and cousin to so many family members. A few (of many) of the words used by her friends and family to describe Cookie follow: exceptional; an inspiration; a generous, kind, positive, and strong spirit; full of grace, love and courage.

Cookie's favorite quote comes from her Swedish family "Each Day is a Special Gift".

Cookie is predeceased by her son, Daniel Shand. She is survived by her husband, her three daughters Wafica Brooks, Mavis (Missy) Ellingwood, and Heather Shand, her son-in-law Brian Ellingwood, her brothers Lorens and Carl (Buzz) Lindberg and their spouses Priscilla and Pam, along with her 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren all of whom were lights in her life.

Endless thanks to the caring hospice staff at Bayada. They provided Cookie and her family the support for her peaceful journey.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 11 from 4-6pm at the Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont, NH. A Celebration of Life will take place at 1pm on Sunday, March 12 at the Ascutney Union Church, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ascutney Union Church (PO Box 345, Ascutney, VT 05030) and the Weathersfield Proctor Library (PO Box 519, Ascutney, VT 05030).