On July 8, 2026, Sandra Jean (Olson) Hurley, 81, of Winthrop, was called home to be with our Lord. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Sandra was the beloved daughter of the late George and Rose Olson of Quincy and the devoted wife of the late William “Bill” Hurley, with whom she shared 48 years of marriage. Together they raised four children and built a beautiful life centered on faith, family and service.
A proud graduate of the Boston City Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1966, Sandra devoted nearly 60 years to the nursing profession. She began her career serving the people of Boston, providing compassionate care and dignity to those in need, particularly the city’s underserved and most vulnerable residents. For Sandy, nursing was more than a profession; it was her lifelong calling.
While raising her children, Sandra earned a Master’s Degree in Education and taught the Medical Careers Program at Winthrop High School, inspiring and mentoring generations of future healthcare professionals. She later earned her MBA and served as Clinical Director for several Visiting Nurse Associations and organizations serving the elderly and children with disabilities, including Norwell VNA, the Florence Levine Center and Northeast ARC. In 2005, she and her husband, Bill founded Commonwealth Clinical Services, Inc., a home healthcare practice serving the North Shore, where she remained Chief Executive Officer until her passing.
Sandra’s dedication to caring for others extended beyond her career. In her 70s, she volunteered on medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic, providing nursing care to the impoverished and underserved mountain communities. In every role she held, as caregiver, educator, mentor, missionary, and leader, Sandra exemplified the qualities of excellence, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others.
Faith in the Lord was at the center of Sandra’s life and through her works she tried her best to embody the teachings of Christ. Her selfless service is a testament to her faith, and the countless lives she touched through her generosity, strength, and gentle spirit will forever be part of her enduring legacy.
Sandra was the devoted mother of Christopher Hurley and his wife, Dawn, of Winthrop; Jennifer Hurley of Marblehead; Robert Hurley and his wife, Raquel, of East Boston; Jeanne Holgersen and her husband, Steve, of Winthrop; and the cherished former mother-in-law of Andrea Hurley of Winthrop. She was the loving sister of George Olson and his wife, Claire of Duxbury, and the late Signe Hutt and her husband, George,of Hingham. She was the proud and loving grandmother of thirteen grandchildren: Jonathan, Charlotte, Christian, and Julia Hurley; Alanna and Alysia Herrey; Matthew and Andrew Hurley; and Steven, Joseph, Annika, Michael, and Emma Holgersen, all of whom brought her immense joy.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours at the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, 147 Winthrop Street, Winthrop, today, Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church (St. Michael the Archangel Parish), 320 Winthrop Street, Winthrop. Burial will be at Winthrop Cemetery (Belle Isle Section).
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sandra Hurley Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund. Please mail checks to 365 Main St, Winthrop, MA 02152.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.