Sandra Lee Kates

Sandra Lee Kates, better known as Sandy (or "Sandy Lee" to her best friend and husband, Jon,), died on September 13, 2026. She was 88.

Born and raised in Scarsdale, New York, she was the middle child of Arthur and Ruth Littman, and had two siblings, Rollie and Artie. While growing up, she had several pets, most notably a cat named Figaro. She attended Fox Meadow Elementary School, which was where she met her future husband, Jon, in the third grade. Jon and Sandy's love story was one for the ages. After the two graduated from Scarsdale High School, Sandy attended Pine Manor Junior College, and two years later, in 1960, the same week Jon graduated from Princeton, they married in New York City and remained devoted to one another for the next 66 years.

Their first home was in Fort Sill, Oklahoma during Jon's time in the service. After that, the couple moved back to New York and settled in Rye, where their first child and only daughter, Carolyn, was born, followed 18 months later by their son Michael. They outgrew their apartment and moved to a house on Ferndale Road in Edgemont, New York, where they welcomed their youngest son, David. Sandy was a wonderful mother, managing three small children while Jon often traveled with his job, working for his father, Lou Kates, at French Fabrics.

The textile business would be the reason the family would move to Greensboro, North Carolina in 1973. In North Carolina Jon and Sandy would be indoctrinated into Duke basketball, which became a lifelong passion (she often mentioned she shared a birthday with Coach K), and she rarely missed a game over the next 40 years.

After her three children graduated from high school in Greensboro, Jon and Sandy relocated to Wilmington, NC. Sandy loved decorating her new home, welcoming family, walking, fitness classes, the beach, volunteering at the soup kitchen, and enjoying many friends. Having the family gather together for the Thanksgiving buffet at the Landfall Club was a highlight of the year. 

In 2022 Sandy and Jon decided to downsize and moved to The Cedars in Chapel Hill to be near their children. They made a lot of wonderful memories during this time before Sandy was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, fighting a courageous battle to the end. She left her family a note following her passing:

Good-Bye Kates Family

This is the most difficult time for me to say good-bye. I have (as they say in the South) been "blessed" with the most wonderful life and family. 

A husband, who tells me, just about every day, that he loves me and 3 of the BEST children ever--thoughtful, caring, loving and so accomplished. What more could I ask for? Thank you for all that you do. I will miss you, but can close my eyes, so appreciative and with a smile of gratitude.

Love Always, Mom

PS: Not from AI; just from me.

Sandy is survived by her loving husband, Jon; her children, Carolyn, Michael and David; her son-in-law, Lus Brown; daughter-in-law, Amanda Kates; and four grandsons, William Brown, Samuel Brown, Lucas Kates and Myles Kates.

The family thanks the staff at the Dubose Center at The Cedars and Amedysis Hospice Care for their compassionate care at the end of our mother's life. We also would like to thank UNC Cancer Center, especially her oncologist, Dr. Yash Agrawal, and her physician for many years, Dr. Brian Wolf. Dr. Wolf's attention and time treating our mother went above and beyond, and we are indebted to him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.