Sandra da Conturbia

Maria Alessandra Rossi di Schio (Sandra) was born in Milano, Italy, on April 18, 1939, to Domenico Rossi di Schio and Laura Tacoli. Sandra was home-schooled prior to attending high school in Vicenza. She then earned a diploma at the Scuola Interpreti in Milano as a translator and interpreter of English and French. She then worked as a translator/interpreter and also taught English.

In 1962 Sandra married Franco da Conturbia Rota; they were married for 61 wonderful years until Franco’s death in 2024. They had two children: Andrea in 1963 and Laura in 1965. After the family moved from Milano to Torino, Sandra gained a Master’s Degree in Political Science (Laurea in Scienze Politiche) from the University of Torino. She then taught political science at the high school level.

In 1977, Sandra and her family moved to College Station, Texas, when Franco established a company with two partners managing a cotton farm. Sandra once described the move as her husband having a “mid-life crisis” in which he chose a new country rather than a new wife! Even though it was so different from the life she knew, Sandra embraced her new life in the United States with a sense of adventure while maintaining very close and strong connections with family and friends in Italy.

She worked at Sterling C. Evans Library at Texas A&M University, eventually gaining a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin after her children had both graduated from university. Sandra retired from her position as Director of the Policy Sciences and Economics Library at Texas A&M University in 2006. She had previously served in other roles including Senior Documents and Microtext Librarian at Sterling C. Evans Library.

Sandra enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening, classical music concerts, and volunteering. She was involved in several organizations through which she developed many deep friendships over the years. She treasured time with her children and grandchildren and for many years planned annual vacations for her family which were greatly enjoyed by everyone. She had many, many friends that she absolutely cherished.

Sandra will be remembered for her intelligence, quick wit, and sense of humor, as well as her faith, generosity, and compassion for others. She was determined and carried herself with dignity and strength, yet she never hesitated to extend kindness, warmth, and love to those around her. There is a big empty space in our hearts now, but we are grateful for all that she gave us.

Sandra is survived by her son Andrea and his wife Emina Soljanin; her daughter Laura and her husband Gary Ferrier; her grandson Adam Ferrier; and her grandson Julian Ferrier and his partner Jamie Kim. She is also survived by numerous relatives and friends that she considered family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.